Malaysia’s PM Muhyiddin to offer resignation

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15, 2021, Reuters. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will tender his resignation to the King, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, on Monday (Aug 16) but advise the ruler that his Perikatan Nasional pact remains the largest bloc in Parliament, The Straits Times reported.

The resignation, if confirmed, could end months of political turmoil facing the country, which is already battling record high Covid-19 infections and an economic downturn from multiple lockdowns.

But it is not clear who would form the next government as no party has a clear majority in Parliament.

It would be up to the constitutional monarch, Sultan Abdullah, to decide what happens next.

Here are the possible scenarios:

Interim government

The King can appoint an interim premier from among lawmakers, including Mr Muhyiddin himself, until a permanent successor is found.

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy and the King has the power to appoint as prime minister a lawmaker whom he believes can command a majority.

Elections

Mr Muhyiddin can advise the King to dissolve Parliament and call for early polls.

But elections are unlikely in the short term as Malaysia has seen a record number of Covid-19 infections and deaths in recent days.

A general election is not due until 2023.

King picks new premier

When former premier Mahathir Mohamad resigned just two years into his five-year term last year, the King – in an unprecedented move – met with all 222 lawmakers to see who had the majority to form the government.

He picked Mr Muhyiddin who had the backing of political parties that were then in the opposition.

The King could do the same now.