Nationalist group wins bloc’s support
Malaysia's next government appeared to be leaning to the religious right as a coalition of Malay nationalists won support of an influential bloc on Sunday after tightly fought general elections failed to produce a clear winner. The nation's king still has to approve any deal.
The unprecedented hung parliament after Saturday's divisive polls saw the rise of the the Malay-centric Perikatan Nasional, or National Alliance, led by former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. It stunned many Malaysians who had hoped for stability and unity after political turmoil that has seen three prime ministers since 2018 polls.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's reformist multiethnic alliance topped the race with 82 federal seats, but fell far short of the 112 needed for a majority.
In negotiations Sunday, Muhyiddin's coalition edged closer to a victory after securing the backing of a political bloc in Sarawak, a state on Borneo island, that won 22 seats. He still needs a nod from another key player, the long-ruling United Malays National Organization, to muster a majority.
The arrangement, if confirmed by the king, means that Muhyiddin will return as prime minister.