Malaysia PM resigns in abrupt turn

Malaysia’s king on Monday accepted Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s shocking resignation but reappointed him as interim leader following the collapse of the ruling alliance in a major political upheaval less than two years after its historic election victory.

The stunning turn of events come amid plans by Mr. Mahathir’s supporters in his Bersatu party to team up with opposition parties to form a new government and thwart the transition of power to his named successor, Anwar Ibrahim.

Minutes before Mr. Mahathir tendered his resignation, Bersatu said it would leave the four-party Alliance of Hope and support Mr. Mahathir as prime minister. Eleven other lawmakers, including several Cabinet ministers, announced they were quitting Mr. Anwar’s party to form an independent bloc.

Bersatu later said Mr. Mahathir had also quit as party chairman. The withdrawal of more than three dozen lawmakers means the ruling alliance has lost its majority in Parliament, throwing the country into an uncertain future and sparking fears of more turmoil over how the political drama will play out.

King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who met leaders from the new faction Sunday and both Mr. Anwar and Mr. Mahathir on Monday, accepted Mr. Mahathir’s resignation, the chief secretary to the government, Mohamad Zuki Ali, said in a statement.

The chief secretary also said the king decided Mr. Mahathir should continue as interim leader until a new prime minister is chosen and a new Cabinet formed.