Aug 16,2021: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down on Monday after trying – and failing – to seek opposition backing to remain in power. While this brings an end to his beleaguered premiership, it adds even more chaos to the country’s politics as party leaders scramble to form the next government.
Muhyiddin will not leave office immediately. He will stay on as caretaker prime minister until his successor is selected. That person will then serve as premier until the next general election takes place within two years.
“I can take the easy route and sacrifice my principles to remain as prime minister. But that is not my choice. I will not compromise with kleptocrats or interfere with the freedom of the judiciary, just to stay in power,” Muhyiddin said in a televised address to the nation about an hour after he submitted his resignation. “I’ve tried to come up with ideas to save this administration. But they didn’t work, as some quarters would rather grab power than prioritize the lives of the people.”
King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who appointed Muhyiddin as prime minister after a week-long political crisis 17 months ago, is expected to use his constitutional power once again to select Muhyiddin’s replacement. This should be from among members of parliament who he thinks can command a majority, which Muhyiddin claims no one else has.
The 74-year-old admitted for the first time on Friday that he did not have majority support and made a last-ditch attempt to win over opposition lawmakers by promising political and electoral reforms in exchange for support. But that gambit failed and the offer was rejected unanimously.
