Protectionist policies set up by Mahathir also came under fire from Anwar , who supported the International Monetary Fund 's recovery plan for Malaysia following the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis . Mahathir has spent 2008 fighting sodomy charges . The One -time student activist was once Anwar 's right-hand man . The opposition leader dented the ruling party 's majority at elections in more than a decade . Anwar has led a reform movement that has targeted social and political reform .
Mahathir has spent 2008 fighting sodomy charges . The One -time student activist was once Anwar 's right-hand man . The opposition leader dented the ruling party 's majority at elections in more than a decade . Anwar has led a reform movement that has targeted social and political reform .