Nineteen years ago Mahathir Mohamad, while prime minister of Malaysia, denounced his freshly sacked deputy Anwar Ibrahim as “morally unfit” for leadership, following allegations of corruption and sodomy.

Now the duo – formerly known for a father-and-son-like closeness – has seemingly reunited to take down a common foe: embattled Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is facing global scrutiny following his alleged involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption scandal.
Mahathir, now 92, has criticised Malaysia’s current head of government and described him as dictatorial. Meanwhile, Anwar is still serving a prison sentence following a second sodomy charge in 2008.