Anwar is one big compromise away from finally becoming PM

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who has come tantalisingly close to leading Malaysia during his tumultuous political career, is suddenly on the cusp of clinching the top job – but a final hurdle stands in his way.

Anwar’s reformist coalition won 82 parliamentary seats in the general election (GE15), the biggest haul among the competing blocs. While it’s short of the majority needed to form a government, it puts him in prime position to forge an alliance to do so.

The only catch? The 75-year-old politician may have to do a controversial deal with his longtime nemesis.

Barisan Nasional (BN), the pro-Malay coalition that has ruled Malaysia almost uninterruptedly since independence in 1957, finds itself in the unlikely position of potential kingmaker after a washout performance left it far short of forming a government but with enough seats to tip the balance to decide who does.

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