Malaysia’s king calls Anwar and Muhyiddin for audience after poll impasse: Palace

Malaysia's King Al-Sultan Abdullah called on Tuesday the two main contenders to be prime minister -- opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin -- for an audience at 4.30 pm (0830 GMT), the palace said in a statement.

Earlier, the king had said that he will pick the next prime minister soon, but did not specify timing for his decision, as the political crisis from an inconclusive election dragged on for a third day.

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Saturday’s election resulted in an unprecedented hung parliament, with neither of the two main prime minister contenders -- opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin -- winning the simple majority needed to form a government.

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim gestures as he leaves his office in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, on November 22, 2022. (Reuters)

The election prolongs political instability in the Southeast Asian nation, which has had three prime ministers in as many years, and risks delays to policy decisions needed to galvanize an economic recovery.

The incumbent Barisan Nasional coalition said it would not support either candidate, a move that would prevent both Anwar and Muhyiddin from reaching a majority.

Malaysian former Prime Minister and Perikatan Nasional Chairman Muhyiddin Yassin waves as he leaves after Malaysia's 15th general election in Shah Alam, Malaysia, on November 22, 2022. (Reuters)

It is now up to the constitutional monarch, who plays a largely ceremonial role but can appoint whoever he believes will command a majority.

“Let me make a decision soon,” the king told reporters outside the national palace.

He also asked Malaysians to accept any decision about the government formation.

The king had earlier given political parties until 2 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Tuesday to put together alliances needed for a majority.

The uncertainty hit the Kuala Lumpur stock market, which fell for a second day on Tuesday. Significant election gains by an Islamist party added to investors’ fears, notably over policies on gambling and alcohol consumption.

Its electoral gains have also raised fears in multicultural Malaysia, which has significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities following other faiths. The PAS Islamist party has advocated for sharia law.

Malaysian police cautioned the country’s social media users to refrain from posting “provocative” content on race and religion after the divisive election.

Minority government?

Anwar’s progressive coalition and Muhyiddin’s conservative Malay Muslim alliance -- which includes the Islamist party -- have both said they have majority support, though they did not identify their backers.

Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod, law lecturer at the International Islamic University of Malaysia, said a minority government could be formed or the king could ask to meet with lawmakers individually to hear their choices for prime minister.

“If a minority government is appointed, it is proper for the new government to table a vote of confidence when parliament
reopens,” he said.

Anwar’s coalition won the most seats in the Saturday election with 82, while Muhyiddin’s bloc won 73. They need 112 -- a simplemajority -- to form a government.

Barisan won only 30 seats -- its worst electoral performance -- but was expected to play a pivotal role in deciding who forms the government as its support is needed for both Anwar and Muhyiddin to get to 112.

It is the decline of the once-dominant Barisan and its leading party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), that hasushered in a new uncertain phase in Malaysia.

Barisan led every government since independence from British colonial rule in 1957 up until its first defeat in the 2018 election. It returned to power under Ismail in 2021 after the collapse of two coalition from infighting.

Read more: Malaysia’s Muhyiddin gains backing for PM bid after indecisive election