As Prime Minister, Tony Abbott often praised Malaysia for its leadership in the fight against Islamic extremism.
But just nine months after voters there toppled Najib Razak’s Government in historic elections, there are mounting signs of a lurch toward religious and racial conservatism.
Emboldened by voter dissatisfaction in the new regime, and spurred on by the former Prime Minister as he awaits trial, old political foes UMNO and the Islamist Party PAS have formed a divisive new alliance in opposition.
Listen to the report on the ABC AM program.