Malaysia Gears Up for Election as Najib Targets `Fake News’

Malaysia’s political parties are gearing up for an election within months, with the ruling party launching a portal aimed at combating “fake news” and the opposition alliance holding a national convention this weekend.

A disparate opposition — as well as the four-party coalition known as Pakatan Harapan, there are a number of other major groups including the biggest Islamic opposition outfit — may also help Najib. There’s still the possibility of opposition candidates standing against each other in some districts.

Pakatan Harapan will meet on Sunday and is expected to name its pick for prime minister, with speculation centered around former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who split from Barisan Nasional and has become one of Najib’s fiercest critics. Mahathir, who at 92 years of age is now chairman of Pakatan Harapan, said the group would announce “our future plans” at the end of its convention.

The opposition’s de facto leader, Anwar Ibrahim, is in jail on a sodomy conviction, a charge he has denied. Pakatan Harapan would need to install an interim prime minister if it wins the election, then secure a royal pardon in order for Anwar to become premier.