Dr M to continue as caretaker premier
O King wants Mahathir to stay in office until new PM is appointed
PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will continue to helm the country as interim prime minister after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong accepted his resignation as premier.
This was confirmed by the Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Mohd Zuki Ali in a statement yesterday.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has accepted Mahathir’s resignation as Malaysia’s prime minister.
“However, he has assented to appoint Mahathir as the interim prime minister while waiting for a new premier to be appointed, in line with Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution.”
Mohd Zuki said as the interim premier, Mahathir would manage the country’s administration temporarily until a new prime minister is appointed and a new Cabinet formed.
Mahathir had announced earlier yesterday that he was quitting and would also relinquish his position as the chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).
The Prime Minister’s Office and his party confirmed this in separate statements.
Later, Mahathir met the King at Istana Negara to seek an audience over the current political situation.
PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had also met the King earlier.
Mahathir had earlier been urged to continue running the country. Among those making the call was Parti Warisan Sabah.
“No matter what happens, our stand from before has been consistent. We need to foster close cooperation with the federal government,” said its president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal. “We support Mahathir as the prime minister.”
Lawyer and activist Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan also urged Mahathir to continue as prime minister, saying he has the people’s mandate.
“Amanah and DAP have expressed their support for Mahathir, and I urge him to retake the reins of power, as entrusted by the people, and steer PH to calmer waters,” she said.
“From the ashes may the phoenix rise, and may the people see a stronger and more united PH to complete its mandated tasks, particularly those of reform. Cooler heads must prevail, and the nation and its people must come first,” she said.