Asian Angle | Malaysia’s politics is becoming an ageing ‘poster boy’ personality contest
As elderly political figures jostle for power, they risk missing what Malaysians actually want from the government
But beyond that, it also speaks to the internal jockeying that is taking place within the different coalitions to have certain leaders anointed as their prime ministerial candidate before the next general election due by late 2027.
This is because, due to Malaysia’s fractious politics, it does not appear as though a single party or coalition can score an outright win. For some, securing a pre-electoral commitment from coalition partners on a candidate for prime minister can provide greater certainty to voters and avoid post-electoral disagreements that could end up paralysing the Malaysian government.
The obsession with personalities, most of whom are ageing politicians, is robbing the country of more considered political debate
As far as the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition is concerned, there is no question about their “poster boy”. They are clear that they want Anwar to have a second term.