KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad knew whom he would recruit as advisers long before winning the May 9 election, as the 92-year-old leader approached some of his closest lieutenants -- most of whom served during his first stint as prime minister -- weeks before the vote to tap their expertise.
Mahathir formed the five-member advisory council, known as the Group of Eminent Persons, ahead of a full cabinet, indicating his trust in the team to help set the new government in the right direction.
