Malaysia's king has appointed seasoned politician Muhyiddin Yassin as the new Prime Minister, the latest twist to a weeklong political crisis.
In a statement issued by the palace on Saturday (Feb 29), Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said Muhyiddin, a former interior minister and president of the Bersatu party, will be sworn in on Sunday as he likely commands the most support of any candidate.
The appointment came after this week's shock resignation of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, a move that plunged the country into crisis following a weekend of political wrangling and the collapse of the ruling alliance.
"The process to appoint the prime minister cannot be delayed because the country needs a government for the wellbeing of the people and the nation," the palace statement said. The king appoints the country's Prime Minister.
The king decreed that "it was the best decision for all".
The announcement came hours after Mahathir struck a new deal to work with his former ruling alliance led by rival Anwar Ibrahim and threw his name into the fray again.
But the palace announced that King Abdullah believed that Muhyiddin has the support of a majority of legislators.
"I only ask for all Malaysians to accept the decision announced by the national palace today," Muhyiddin told reporters at his home.
- Source: News websites
