Malaysian King appoints Muhyiddin Yassin as new PM
Last updated on: 29 February,2020 11:00 pm
Mahathir and Anwar's "Pact of Hope" alliance stormed to a historic victory in 2018
KUALA LAMPUR (Dunya News) - A royal statement said Muhyiddin was chosen by the king, who appoints the country’s premiers after deciding who commands most support from MPs, following the collapse of a reformist ruling coalition last week.
Muhyiddin Yassin’s surprise victory not only sidelines Mahathir, who had been the world’s oldest premier at 94, but also dashes the hopes of Anwar Ibrahim of becoming leader any time soon.
Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad lost a power struggle Saturday with a little-known ex-interior minister to be the country’s new leader in a shock twist.
Mahathir and Anwar’s "Pact of Hope" alliance stormed to a historic victory in 2018 that broke the six-decade stranglehold on power of a corruption-riddled coalition, but it was riven by infighting over who should succeed Mahathir.
Tensions exploded last week after a failed bid to push out Anwar and stop him becoming leader -- prompting the government’s collapse and Mahathir’s shock resignation.