Malaysia king to choose PM after indecisive vote
PM contenders Anwar and Muhyiddin fail to win simple majority
Malaysia’s King Al Sultan Abdullah said yesterday that he will pick the next prime minister soon after the leading two contenders failed to win a majority, but did not specify timing for his decision, as the political crisis from an inconclusive election dragged on for a third day.
Saturday’s election resulted in an unprecedented hung parliament, with neither opposition leader Anwar Ebrahim nor former premier Muhyiddin Yassin winning the simple majority needed to form a government.
The election prolongs political instability in the Southeast Asian nation, which has had three prime ministers in as many years, and risks delays to policy decisions needed to galvanise an economic recovery.
The king had given political parties until 2pm yesterday to put together alliances needed for a majority.
But the incumbent Barisan Nasional coalition said it would not support either candidate, a move that prevented both Anwar and Muhyiddin from reaching a majority.
It is now up to the constitutional monarch, who plays a largely ceremonial role but can appoint whoever he believes will command a majority. “Let me make a decision soon,” the king told reporters outside the national palace.
He also asked Malaysians to accept any decision about the government formation.