Anwar Ibrahim risks losing reform credentials in bid to become Malaysia's PM

Mr Anwar's failure in his prime ministerial bid may play into the hands of former Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal, touted as a potential PM candidate. PHOTO: REUTERS
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KUALA LUMPUR - Not only does opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's latest bid to become Malaysia's next prime minister look dead in the water, his reformist credentials have been dented in the process, say political pundits.

Datuk Seri Anwar claimed in September to have secured a strong majority to form a new government - the third time he has made such a claim over the past dozen years - but his much-anticipated audience with the King, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, two weeks ago to prove his claim did not immediately yield the expected results.

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