Opponents believe Zahid could then have the charges against him dropped and Najib could walk free on a royal pardon. They are also critical of the poll being held amid the threat of flooding to inhibit campaigning and voter turnout.
It’s before this backdrop that Anwar is appealing for broad reform of a system that has been riddled with corruption and in which ethnic division has been stoked by Malay-centric identity politics.
“To me,it is about saving the country,changing the political landscape of this country,” he said.
“You cannot be naive to assume that fighting a system of systemic corruption,so strongly entrenched,is going to be easy. But I’m really encouraged to see the people are prepared to listen and in many instances they are really enthusiastic and passionate about these issues.”
While Anwar and his coalition enjoy strong support from the urban middle class and from within Malaysia’s Chinese and Indian ethnic minorities,he concedes he faces a challenge to infiltrate the rural Malay heartland.
Almost 70 per cent of the population is Malay,most of them Muslim,and,unlike in 2018,the opposition is split,with ousted prime ministers Muhyiddin Yassin and Mahathir,at the ripe age of 97,fronting rival groups. Surveys suggest the nonagenarian is but a bit player this time.
In an effort to improve Harapan’s chances,Anwar has given up his stronghold in Port Dickson,south of Kuala Lumpur,to contest a seat beneath the limestone peaks of suburban Ipoh in north-western Perak state,a key election battleground.
It’s a risky move that could end his career but,given the fractured state of Malaysian politics,with backing for UNMO also not what it once was,a significant gain there may be vital.
“This is a genuinely unpredictable situation,” said Dr Amrita Malhi from Flinders and The Australian National universities. “There are more candidates than ever before,more independents,more voters,new dynamics inside and between the various competing parties and coalitions,and less coherence in terms of policy choices.”
With none of the three main coalitions appearing likely to reach the 112 seats needed for an outright majority on their own,post-election horse-trading may well be needed to form government and there has even been talk that Anwar and Harapan could end up in an alliance with Barisan Nasional.
Unsurprisingly,it’s a compromise he wants to avoid making.
“Of course,people say realistically I must be open to the idea. In democracies,[that’s what] coalition governments are about,” he said.
“But I’m saying here it’s more complex because how do you work with a racist party? How do you work with a party that promotes racist bigotry openly?
“So,my appeal to the voters is,‘Give us a chance to decide on your behalf,instead of being given an ultimatum by these groups.’ ”
Working once more with Mahathir,who has offered to link up with Anwar again,is also an unwanted outcome.
Anwar said he had been polite in not discounting the possibility but told theHerald andThe Age, “This guy reneged on his commitments too many times.”
As he rounds the nation,his team handing out umbrellas in Harapan red in addition to the customary T-shirts,he is making clear exactly what is at stake.
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“Malaysia is at risk of being perceived as a fragmented,corrupt,insignificant and even racist country,when not the butt of global embarrassment,” he wrote in a new book calledSCRIPT - For a Better Malaysia.
Yet,while he is 22 years younger than Mahathir,who became prime minister for a second time at the age of 92,time may be running out for Anwar to deliver the changes to Malaysia that he seeks.
“This is the last chance for Anwar for a host of reasons,” said Professor James Chin of the University of Tasmania.
“Of course,he can argue Mahathir can be prime minister in his 90s,why not him? But this is his third serious run to be prime minister,so most people won’t give him any more chances.
“Another reason is he’s got a fairly popular and competent deputy,Rafizi Ramli,so,if he can’t make it this time,Rafizi will step up and push him out.”
Malhi,however,warns not to count Anwar out.
“There’s a 97-year-old running,after all,and candidates running with legal cases against them whose status is unresolved,” she said. “Their careers aren’t over,so it’s probably not wise to write Anwar off either.”
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