The Unrealized Mahatir-Anwar Transitions : Social Divides and Political Consequences

The unrealized transitions were a setback for a "reform agenda", which Anwar Ibrahim articulated, but which emerged from dissident movements for diverse reforms.

These movements helped the multiethnic, socially inclusive, opposition to win the 14th General Election.

They are only seemingly dormant because of the pandemic. The Pakatan Harapan regime had the best chance to supply a fresh vision, deeper social understanding, and commitment to reform.

The present Perikatan Nasional regime's fixation on "Malayness" overlooks twenty years of intense intra-Malay conflicts that began with the failure of the first transition. As the "7th Prime Minister", Mahathir had a rare chance to redeem himself from major errors of his first twenty-two-year tenure.

He squandered his chance by not honouring the Pakatan Harapan transition plan. Anwar Ibrahim's opponents mock him for being obsessed with wanting to be prime minister.

Yet they obsessively fear his becoming prime minister.

Anwar may be twice loser in political succession but "the spectre of Anwar" still haunts Malaysian political consciousness.