Understanding Malaysia’s Political Earthquake

Supporters of Mahathir Mohamad outside the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur on May 10, waiting for his swearing-in as Malaysia’s prime minister after his surprise election victory.CreditUlet Ifansasti/Getty Images

The events of recent days in Malaysia have been dizzying.

A former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, 92, returned to power last week after a stunning upset vote, defeating not just his former protégé, but the very party he helped create.

Motivated by a desire to oust Prime Minister Najib Razak, the scion of a political family who was embroiled in a multibillion-dollar corruption scandal, Malaysians voted in record numbers.

Now, Mr. Mahathir must stitch together a governing coalition that includes followers of Anwar Ibrahim, his onetime nemesis, who was released from prison after serving five years on charges that were widely seen as politically motivated.

Here is our guide to the people and events that led to Mr. Mahathir’s return to power and Mr. Najib’s fall from grace.

New York Times