Power struggle in Malaysia The Anwar Crisis

Abstract

When Anwar Ibrahim was sacked from the government and the ruling party at the beginning of September 1998, the reason given by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his drastic action was Anwar’s ‘low morals’ Anwar was allegedly guilty of sexual misconduct, including sodomy. Mahathir and his lieutenants were convinced that as soon as the former Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy UMNO President was put on trial, the truth would become obvious to everyone and his massive support among the Malaysian people would decline rapidly.