Mahathir's resignation accepted but will stay on as interim PM

[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad unexpectedly resigned as prime minister on Monday, leaving the Southeast Asian nation in political turmoil, but the country's monarch asked him to stay on as interim premier until a successor is appointed.

The resignation of Mahathir, 94, broke apart a coalition with old rival Anwar Ibrahim, 72, that had scored a surprise election victory in 2018 and was not part of a pre-election promise that Dr Mahathir would one day cede power to Mr Anwar.

But it immediately drew calls from some quarters for the world's oldest government leader to return.

The decision, which Dr Mahathir did not explain, followed surprise talks at the weekend between members of his coalition and the opposition on forming a new government.

The king accepted Dr Mahathir's resignation after meeting Dr Mahathir, Chief Secretary Mohd Zuki Ali said in a statement.

"However, His Highness has given his assent to appoint Mahathir Mohamad as interim prime minister, while waiting for the appointment of the new prime minister. Hence until then, (Mahathir) will manage the country's affairs until a new prime minister and Cabinet are appointed," Mr Mohd Zuki said.

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Anwar and people close to Dr Mahathir said he had quit after accusations that he would form some sort of partnership with opposition parties he defeated less than two years ago on an anti-corruption platform.

"He thought that he shouldn't be treated in that manner, to associate him in working with those we believe are blatantly corrupt," Mr Anwar told reporters after meeting Dr Mahathir on Monday morning. "He made it very clear that in no way would he work with those associated with the previous regime."

But it is unclear whether the resignation marks the end of the road for Dr Mahathir as a full-term premier, since at least three parties in his coalition called for him to stay on in office. Some in the opposition have also agreed to support him.

"The field is wide open for him," said Ibrahim Suffian, director of pollster Merdeka. "If he considers coming back as PM, he has the freedom to choose his partners or who he would like to be part of his Cabinet."

Dr Mahathir, who came out of retirement to run in the 2018 national election, also quit the Bersatu party he had formed shortly before the polls, three sources familiar with the matter said.

Dr Mahathir's resignation capped over 24 hours of speculation about the fate of the coalition after lawmakers from his coalition held meetings on Sunday with the opposition United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and Islamist party PAS.

It is unclear what the political leaders of the country are planning next or who could form the next government.

Sources say there could be a showdown between Anwar and an alliance between Bersatu President Muhyiddin Yassin and Azmin Ali, who on Monday was sacked from Mr Anwar's party.

Constitutionally, any lawmaker who can command a majority in parliament can stake a claim to form the government. The king has to provide his assent before a prime minister can be sworn in.

If no one has simple majority of 112 in parliament, a fresh election id an option, a person close to Dr Mahathir's party said.

In public comments on Monday, Mr Anwar did not say if he would stake a claim to form a new government. He said he had met the king to express his views and seek his advice in the interest of the country.

"Seems like it will be up for grabs now," a second source said about the possibility of who will form the next government. "Who can pull in a majority."

Pro-democracy organisation Bersih said attempts to form a "backdoor government" were undemocratic and a betrayal of voters' trust.

The political turmoil, together with region-wide alarm over the spread of the coronavirus, sent Malaysia's currency, bonds and stock market lower.

The ringgit fell 0.9 per cent on the day - its steepest slide in three years - to its lowest level in almost six months.

The main stock market index slid to an eight-year low and bonds fell, forcing yields on 10-year government bonds up 5 basis points, their biggest jump since October.

Dr Mahathir had been scheduled to announce a stimulus package to deal with the coronavirus outbreak on Thursday.

"It becomes quite hard for Malaysia to bring foreign investors back," Jolynn Kek, head of equity at BOS Wealth Management Malaysia, said, pointing to more political stability and economic growth among its neighbours.

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, whose DAP party is the second biggest in Mahathir's coalition, said "political manipulation" has affected the government's efforts to address the economy.

Mr Lim's party said it would re-nominate Mahathir to be the prime minister.

REUTERS