Malaysia’s next prime minister: Mahathir Mohamad plans to rule without Umno’s help. So does Anwar Ibrahim

Mahathir Mohamad had looked all set to reclaim his position as prime minister of Malaysia – until his on-off rival Anwar Ibrahim claimed the position for himself on Wednesday, announcing he had the backing of Mathathir’s former ruling coalition.Under Malaysian convention, the prime minister is the individual who can command the majority of the 222-man lower parliamentary house. Until midday Wednesday, Mahathir had been the only man who looked likely to be able to do that. But in a dramatic…