Muhyiddin resigns, but status quo remains, likely to stay on as the Prime Minister for at least another year
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin tendered his resignation to the King, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, on Monday (Aug 16).
But while he stays on as caretaker premier for now, there appears to be no clear candidate for his successor.
Mr Muhyiddin’s ouster – the Constitution obliges him to resign as there is no provision for a minority government – looks set to throw the nation into deeper uncertainty.
DPA Notes: Despite Muhyiddin’s resignation, he could still remain as the Prime Minister for a long long time, even up to a year or more, as the prerogative is solely of the King of Malaysia to decide.
This is also represents the time where the position of the King is in the most powerful position since the formation of the Federation of Malaya and Malaysia.
Malaysian King (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) is rotated among the 9 Sultans of Malay states in Malaysia’s 13 states. The current King is assumed by the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Abdullah.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Malaysia continues to worsen, reporting over 20,000 new infections over the past 5 days, a General Election is unlikely to be called anytime soon or within this year. The General Election (GE) is not due until 2023, allowing the King to continue to keep the political situation within Malaysia in limbo – granting absolute comfort that there will be no bigger authority than the Istana in Malaysia until the GE is called.
A deal could very well also be made behind the scene between Muhyiddin and the King to maintain status quo until 2023 – a situation that suits both parties well. Given the extended time, Muhyiddin could still gather his forces and momentum to convince the Rakyats (people) that he is a proven and trusted candidate to lead Malaysia in the post-COVID world.
With the caretaker PM title, and the public “resignation”, Muhyiddin and the King can both relieve themselves of the political pressures that are piling on them in recent months from both the pandemic situation as well as the political mayhem.
While the political rivals celebrate their “victory”, Muhyiddin continues to be the most powerful man in Malaysia… or the 2nd most powerful man if you add the King into the equation – and now, there will be no more respite or chess move left for the PM-aspiring rivals in their bid to replace Muhyiddin, since the King had given his words and accepted the resignation. What can they do? They can’t possibly call the King a liar.
As far as all the talk about who will be replacing Muhyiddin, we believe that this resignation will strengthen Muhiyddin’s position allowing him to consolidate and entrench himself as the Prime Minister of Malaysia…. until at least late 2022.