Malaysia PM Muhyiddin Resigns
2 Min Read
Malaysia Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin makes a televised speech announcing his resignation following months of political turmoil.
-
Malaysia Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin stepped down Monday, heralding a new era of turmoil in a country combatting a surge of COVID-19 cases.
The former Prime Minister criticized his opponents within his coalition in the speech he made Monday. He said, "I will never conspire with the kleptocrat group, interfere with the independence of the judiciary, and turn my back on the federal constitution merely to remain in power."
He also said that many MPs stopped their support as a means of punishment for refusing to drop the charges against them. Among the MPs who've cut their support is Najib Razak, a former prime minister implicated in a major corruption scandal.
Khairy Jamaluddin, minister of science, technology, and innovation posted an Instagram story, saying, "The Cabinet has tendered our resignation to the Agong."
Last Friday, the 74-year-old Prime Minister made a final attempt at holding on to power. He proposed making reforms in return for opposition MPs' support - a proposition that was not accepted.
After failing to receive the MP's support, he held one last government session before heading to the royal palace to tender his resignation to the Agong.
The national palace issued a statement after receiving Muhyiddin's resignation. "The king has received the resignation letter of Muhyiddin Yassin and the entire cabinet effective immediately," the statement said.
"Following the resignation, the king is pleased for Muhyiddin to fill the role as caretaker prime minister until a new prime minister is appointed," it added.
Muhyiddin came to power in March 2020, appointed by the Agong without elections. He led a coalition government after PM Mahathir Mohamad's government fell. Mohamad is one of the most prominent political faces in Malaysia.
It is not likely that the state would hold elections in the foreseeable future, considering the health situation in the country. A period of compromisation is expected in Malaysia, as the authorities would try to reach a new, sustainable coalition.
