Mahathir pulls yet another surprise
Print Edition
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned yesterday in a shock move after his political allies sought to form a new coalition in a bid to block the succession of leader-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim.
It followed weekend political drama that saw an attempt by Anwar鈥檚 rivals within his own 鈥淧act of Hope鈥 coalition 鈥 which stormed to a historic election victory in 2018 鈥 and opposition politicians to form a new government.
That coalition would reportedly have excluded Anwar, Mahathir鈥檚 presumptive successor and a former opposition icon who was jailed for years on questionable sodomy charges, blocking his ascent to the premiership.
Anwar and Mahathir 鈥 the world鈥檚 oldest leader, aged 94 鈥 have a notoriously stormy relationship but joined forces to oust a corruption-plagued government at the 2018 polls.
Mahathir, who led the Muslim nation from 1981 to 2003, had made a pre-election pledge to hand power to Anwar but has repeatedly refused to fix a date.
With the ruling coalition鈥檚 fate still uncertain yesterday morning, Mahathir鈥檚 office made the surprise announcement that he had 鈥渟ent a resignation letter as prime minister of Malaysia鈥 to the king at 1pm. No reason was given.
Shortly before, Mahathir鈥檚 Bersatu party announced it was leaving the ruling coalition and 11 lawmakers resigned from Anwar鈥檚 party, leaving Pakatan Harapan in tatters and fuelling suggestions efforts could be underway to form a new alliance.
Despite speculation Mahathir 鈥 a wily operator known for authoritarian tendencies during his first stint in power 鈥 was leading the push for a new coalition, Anwar insisted this was not true.
Anwar said Mahathir had assured him yesterday that 鈥渉e played no part in it,鈥 adding he was 鈥渧ery clear that in no way will he ever work with those associated with the past regime.鈥
According to local media, the new coalition would have included the United Malays National Organisation, the party of disgraced ex-leader Najib Razak 鈥 and once led by Mahathir 鈥 which was ousted in 2018.
The outcome of the drama is far from clear, however, and some analysts said a snap poll could be called.
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