11 things you may not know about Malaysian politics

From key players including Anwar Ibrahim and Mahathir Mohamad to the 1MDB scandal, here are the top things you may not know about Malaysian politics.

1. Will Anwar ever be PM?

A lightning-quick reversal of fortunes cannot be ruled out. Learn more

Anwar Ibrahim is squarely in the crossfire of the commentariat. Photo: EPA

2. How has the Perikatan Nasional coalition shored up its position?

It has made legal moves against leaders of the Pakatan Harapan government, which fell in February 2020. Learn more

Malaysia’s former finance minister Lim Guan Eng meets the media in Penang on August 10. Photo: AFP

3. How influential is Malaysia's king?

The monarch has become increasingly influential in politics. Learn more

Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah last month called on MPs to support the country’s proposed budget. Photo: AFP

4. What's happened to Najib Razak?

The former PM was sentenced to 12 years in jail in the first of five criminal trials linking him to the 1MDB scandal. Learn more

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 28, 2020. Photo: Reuters

5. What is Mahathir's relationship with Anwar like?

Their long-standing tensions continue. Learn more

Anwar Ibrahim and Mahathir Mohamad, at the time Malaysia’s deputy prime minister and premier respectively, during a party meeting in 1998. Photo: AP

6. Who is Muhyiddin Yassin?

Previously a low-lying political operator, he rose to power in 2020. Learn more

Malaysia's new Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin waving outside his residence before his inauguration on Sunday. Photo: Handout

7. What's the link between Najib Razak and a murdered Mongolian model?

The former PM was allegedly involved in the case. Learn more

Najib Razak, Malaysia’s former prime minister. Photo: Bloomberg

8. Who is Jho Low?

He is a fugitive financier implicated in the 1MDB scandal. Learn more

Protesters demonstrating against alleged corruption at 1MDB with portraits of Jho Low in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: AP

9. What happened between Anwar Ibrahim and his former protégé Azmin Ali?

Their falling out mirrors what happened between Mahathir and Anwar. Learn more

Malaysian Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali. Photo: EPA-EFE

10. How did the 1MDB scandal affect Malaysian politics?

The fallout continues until today. Learn more

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak after being convicted in July 2020. Photo: AP

11. Who is Malaysia's king?

He is the ruler of Pahang, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah. Learn more

Pahang state’s Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is tipped to take the throne. Photo: AP