Malaysia's opposition names Mahathir for premiership in upcoming elections

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's main opposition alliance named former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Sunday as its candidate for prime minister should it win the upcoming general elections due later this year.

The announcement was made during the annual convention of the opposition alliance Pakatan Harapan or Pact of Hope. The 92-year-old Mahathir served as Malaysia's fourth prime minister from 1981 to 2003.

However, even if the opposition wins the elections against the UMNO-led ruling coalition, which has governed Malaysia since independence in 1957, Mahathir is only the interim choice for the opposition as head of government.

Opposition said Sunday that it would seek royal pardon for Anwar Ibrahim, its de facto leader, to pave way for him to become prime minister.

Anwar was sacked by Mahathir in 1998 when serving as deputy prime minister and later became opposition leader. He is expected to be released from prison in June after serving a sentence for sodomy conviction but remains to be barred from politics. Enditem