In the run-up to the historic May 9 general election, Malaysians witnessed an unprecedented realignment of political forces, which included Dr Mahathir Mohamad forming an alliance with his heir-apparent-turned-nemesis-turned heir apparent again, Anwar Ibrahim.

During their two decades of animosity, Anwar had accused Mahathir of being a despot responsible for numerous misdeeds, corruption and abuse of power.

Quizzed on this, the Pakatan Harapan de facto leader replied: “You can’t erase the past, but you can be reasonable enough to chart a new future"...