Malaysian opposition picks Mahathir to face Najib

Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIA'S opposition named Mahathir Mohamad, 92, as candidate for prime minister in an election that must be held by August.

Once Malaysia's longest serving premier, he will battle his hand-picked heir, Prime Minister Najib Razak, 64. The coalition known as Pakatan Harapan, or Pact of Hope, said at its convention on Sunday that Dr Mahathir would remain prime minister until jailed de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, 70, is eligible to take over.