Malaysia has been deeply divided by the sacking of the deputy prime minister, Mr Anwar Ibrahim, on Wednesday by the Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Mr Anwar (51), long regarded as the dynamic alternative to Dr Mahathir, was cheered by hundreds of supporters yesterday amid rumours of his imminent arrest.
Dr Mahathir (72) has refused to seek IMF help, unlike neighbours Indonesia and Thailand, for his ailing economy. On Tuesday he imposed exchange controls, a move opposed by his deputy.
The power struggle reflects the polar extremes of opposing Asian views on the economic crisis, analysts said.
Mr Anwar, popular with Muslims, has been the focus of a sex scandal in recent weeks based on allegations in a book.
The supporters chanted "We Want Justice" and Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest) as Mr Anwar entered the ruling party's headquarters for a meeting to decide his future yesterday evening. Three trucks of riot police were stationed on the street outside the building.
Mr Anwar told supporters he was the victim of a political conspiracy.