Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has poured cold water on talk of Malaysia becoming an “Asian Tiger” economy, warning that systemic flaws in leadership, governance, and policy will continue to hold the country back.

Responding to remarks by Bersatu MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who claimed Malaysia could still achieve “Asian Tiger” status if led by a visionary prime minister, Zaid dismissed the idea as unrealistic.

“No, we can’t be like...