Opinion | Malaysia election anniversary: five must-read opinions on Mahathir’s first year in office

It’s been one year since Mahathir Mohamad, the nonagenarian comeback leader won the Malaysian election. Galvanised by the public’s frustration over government corruption and a dwindling economy, the Pakatan Harapan party’s landmark victory ended the uninterrupted 61-year rule of the Barisan Nasional coalition. With Mahathir’s win came many promises, chief among those was to get to the bottom of the multibillion-dollar 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, which has since resulted in former prime minister Najib Razak being charged for his alleged involvement. Mahathir also pledged to install key political and institutional reforms, but they are yet to materialise. And he put Chinese infrastructure investment in the spotlight by demanding renegotiations on a major rail link. It’s been a year of high expectations, as many have observed, and not everyone is satisfied. Here’s our five must-read commentaries on the anniversary of the May 9 vote.