Malaysia's key opposition bloc nominates Anwar Ibrahim as PM candidate

Malaysia's biggest opposition alliance on Friday nominated Anwar Ibrahim to be its prime ministerial candidate for the next general election.

Elections are not due until 2023, but Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had said earlier this year he would hold polls as soon as it was safe to do so amid the coronavirus pandemic due to pressure from allies in his ruling coalition.

Muhyiddin, who came to power last year with a slim majority, declared a nationwide emergency in January and suspended parliament to focus on fighting the pandemic, though his critics say he did so to stay in power.

Pakatan Harapan, the opposition alliance led by Anwar, said in a statement he would be their prime ministerial candidate for the polls. It again urged Muhyiddin to convene parliament immediately.

The alliance also said it would be open to negotiating and cooperating with any party for the elections "based on the principles and agenda of reform in the interest of the people."

The alliance's prime ministerial candidate for the last elections in 2018 was veteran politician Mahathir Mohamad.

On-off foes Mahathir and Anwar formed a surprise pact in 2018 to consolidate opposition efforts to defeat former premier Najib Razak, who was facing corruption allegations over billions of dollars in losses at state fund 1MDB.

Najib was convicted last year in a 1MDB-related case. He has denied wrongdoing and is appealing.

Mahathir, who was premier for 22 years until 2003, became prime minister again in 2018 after winning the elections.

He promised to hand over the premiership to Anwar before the next elections. But their government fell due to infighting last year, allowing Muhyiddin to take over.

The 94-year-old Mahathir started his own party last year after his coalition collapsed, and remains part of the opposition.