Malaysia's ex-PM Mahathir gears up for one last fight

94-year-old politician joins hands with rival to oust Muhyiddin

20200603 Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad

Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is now on his third attempt at ousting a sitting head of government. (Photo by Ying Xian Wong)

TORU TAKAHASHI, Editor-in-Chief of Editorial Headquarters for Asia

June 4, 2020 15:21 JST

BANGKOK -- Dr. M, a nickname for former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, is once again making headlines in local media, which in recent weeks has been dominated by news about the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The Malaysian government on May 4 eased its seven-week lockdown and reopened its economy. Mahathir launched his latest political gambit as if he had been waiting for this moment.