M FOR MALAYSIA

On the eve of the 2018 Malaysian elections, a racially divided country that has suffered under an corrupt party for almost 60 years is on the verge of forging a new direction from an unexpected source. The great hope: Mahathir Mohamad, a 92 year old former prime minister whose own political skeletons helped create the many problems Malaysia faces.

Ineza Roussille, Mahathir’s granddaughter and co-director of M FOR MALAYSIA, documents her grandfather’s problematic history over the 11 days leading up to election night. Roussille explores Mahathir’s attacks and incarcerations of political rivals during his 20 year rule as prime minister, something which he acknowledges helped empower the country’s current leader, who buys votes and censors opposition.

As a member of the Pakatan Harapan Party (Coalition of Hope), Mahathir builds bridges with rivals he once imprisoned in an effort to undo his wrongs and find redemption. The party, and Malaysian people, fight to regain their voices and for fair, transparent elections. — Brian Ray

Co-presented by SFAsia