COMMENT | From political prisoner to PM; but Anwar faces bumpy ride ahead

COMMENT | Anwar Ibrahim's tortuous journey to become Malaysia's 10th prime minister has taken over twenty-five years and two periods in jail.

It is hard not to feel sorry for Anwar. The beleaguered man's life was made difficult by his political foes, who were envious of his increasing popularity.

Unsurprisingly, he has made many enemies due to his stance against racial and religious extremism, and the fight against corruption. He campaigned on a multi-ethnic platform, whilst his foes refused to leave their comfort zone of racist and religious bigotry.

During the hustings, Anwar focused on bread and butter issues, whilst his rivals, like Muhyiddin Yassin of Bersatu, and Abdul Hadi Awang of PAS, warned about a Jewish threat and Christianisation of Malaysia and accused Harapan of having communist links. They lied.

Both Muhyiddin and Hadi are bankrupt of new ideas and are...