Malaysia

January 2004 | Risk Summary

Malaysia's new prime minister, Abdullah Badawi, faces a tricky task in nullifying the latent political threat caused by jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. In January, Anwar attacked the country's judiciary, accusing three appeal-court judges of being 'under the thumb of the executive'. The charismatic and popular Anwar was sacked in 1998 and was later sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison on charges Anwar says were trumped up to prevent him from making a challenge for the premiership. Abdullah's challenge is to ensure Anwar stays politically irrelevant. Success is not guaranteed.

If you would like to subscribe to South East Asia Monitor Vol 2 and gain instant access to this article, please click here to subscribe.

If you would like to take a trial to South East Asia Monitor Vol 2 please click on the trial link below.