Malaysia's Mahathir quits at 94 but agrees to stay as interim PM

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Malaysia's Mahathir quits at 94 but agrees to stay as interim PM

By A. Ananthalakshmi, Joseph Sipalan and Rozanna Latiff

 

Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during an interview with Reuters in Putrajaya, Malaysia, December 10, 2019. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng

 

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Mahathir Mohamad unexpectedly quit as Malaysia's prime minister on Monday, leaving the country in political turmoil, but agreed to a request by the Southeast Asian nation's king to stay on as interim premier until a successor is named.

 

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 Mahathir would eventually cede power to Anwar.

 

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

 

The political turmoil, together with alarm in the region over the spread of the new coronavirus, sent Malaysia's currency, bonds and stock market lower, and drew calls from some quarters for the world's oldest government leader to return.

 

Differences have been simmering between Mahathir and Anwar over delays to the planned transfer of power, presenting some anti-Anwar politicians with a window to try to seek a new coalition.

 

The king accepted the resignation after meeting 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," Mohd Zuki said.

 

Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad unexpectedly resigned as prime minister on Monday, leaving the country in political turmoil and drawing calls from some quarters for the world's oldest leader to return at the head of a new government. Joe Davies reports.

 

On the advice of Mahathir, who came out of retirement to contest the last general election, the king also assented to dissolving his cabinet, Mohd Zuki said.

 

There is no time frame for how long someone can stay on as interim leader, and that person can also appoint cabinet ministers, news portal The Malaysian Insight quoted Attorney General Tommy Thomas as saying.

 

Mahathir's Bersatu party late on Monday rejected his resignation as its chairman and denied that he or any other member had left the camp.

 

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

 

"He made it very clear that in no way would he work with those associated with the previous regime," Anwar told reporters after meeting Mahathir on Monday morning.

 

It is unclear whether the resignation marks the end of the road for Mahathir as a full-term premier because at least three parties in his coalition called for him to stay 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."  

 

'UP FOR GRABS'

It is unclear what the political leaders are planning next or who might form the next government.

 

A showdown is possible between Anwar and an alliance of Bersatu President Muhyiddin Yassin and Azmin Ali, who on Monday was sacked from Anwar's party, political sources said.

 

Azmin and 10 other members of Anwar's party who were at the weekend meetings - involving lawmakers from Mahathir's coalition, the opposition United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and Islamist party PAS - said they had acted to prevent a "conspiracy" bringing down Mahathir and to protect confidence in stability and the continuity of the government's policies.

 

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

 

If no one has a simple majority of 112 in parliament, a new election is an option, a source close to Bersatu said.

 

Anwar did not say whether he would try to stake a claim to form a government. He said he had met the king to express his views and seek his advice in the interest of the country.

 

The ringgit <MYR=> fell 0.9% on the day - its steepest slide in three years - to its lowest level in almost six months.

 

The main stock market index <.KSLE> slid to an eight-year low and bonds fell, forcing yields on 10-year government bonds <MY10YT=R> up 5 basis points, their biggest jump since October.

 

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," said Jolynn Kek, head of equity at BOS Wealth Management Malaysia, pointing to more political stability and economic growth among its neighbours.

 

(Writing by A. Ananthalakshmi; Additional reporting by Ebrahim Harris, Liz Lee, Krishna N. Das and Tom Westbrook; Editing by Mark Heinrich and Timothy Heritage)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-02-25

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[Somtamnication]

One less autocrat in power. Check!

[vagaboberalis]

 

So much for the man's word to pass on the premiership to Anwar.

I was in KL the day before Anwar was given his first sentence. Grandfather was on walkabout a new shopping centre with TV cameras on him. I nudged my way to the cordon and joined those shaking his hand. He paused, looked me in the eye questioningly, I looked him back knowingly (that foreigners knew his game) he understood my message and reluctantly, the TV cameras were on, shook my hand. I smiled and raised my eyebrows. We know, you know. Got ya. Ha.

[Eric Loh]

Lost count just how many times Mahathir has announce quitting and quit and numerous times he said he is quitting politics. He even cried his heart out during an UMNO assembly that he had enough and desired to resign. He is untrustworthy and consistently reneged on his own words. This current political crisis could even be him creating the crisis and remaining in power. He is egoistic and just love people praising and pleading for him to stay. Unfortunately there is really no one currently in the Malaysia political sphere that can take on as PM; not even Anwar. 

[Sujo]

3 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

One less autocrat in power. Check!

A much better option than the last joker.

[rvaviator]

Hard to find good people in politics ... same same the world over ...

[dbrenn]

6 hours ago, vagaboberalis said:

 

So much for the man's word to pass on the premiership to Anwar.

I was in KL the day before Anwar was given his first sentence. Grandfather was on walkabout a new shopping centre with TV cameras on him. I nudged my way to the cordon and joined those shaking his hand. He paused, looked me in the eye questioningly, I looked him back knowingly (that foreigners knew his game) he understood my message and reluctantly, the TV cameras were on, shook my hand. I smiled and raised my eyebrows. We know, you know. Got ya. Ha.

I'm sure he was devastated.