Malaysia has stumbled into fresh political turmoil after a tightly contested general election delivered a hung parliament for the first time in its history.

Malaysia faces hung parliament for first time in history

Malaysia's parliament will vote Monday on the country's next prime minister in a bid to end a political crisis, but if no candidate has enough support there will be a snap election, Mahathir Mohamad said.

It was the latest twist in a drama triggered when Mahathir quit as premier and the government collapsed following a failed attempt to form a new ruling coalition without his designated successor, Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar and Mahathir, at 94 the world's oldest leader, are now locked in a power struggle, reviving a rivalry that has loomed over politics in the Southeast Asian nation for two decades.

The king appoints the prime minister and had interviewed the country's MPs to work out who they backed, but Mahathir said no candidate with enough support emerged.

A candidate must have the backing of at least 112 MPs to become premier.

The king "says that the right forum will be parliament," said Mahathir on Thursday, following a morning meeting with the monarch.

He added the legislature would sit on Monday to determine who has sufficient backing to become premier.

"However if the (parliament) fails to find a person with a majority, then we will have to go for a snap election," added Mahathir, who was appointed interim leader following his resignation.

Mahathir initially appeared to have strong support to remain as premier and had announced he wanted to form a government of national unity and was willing to return as leader.

Three parties from the former ruling coalition have already put Anwar's name forward to be premier.

However, Mahathir's idea of a unity government was rejected by leaders across the political spectrum, with some expressing concerns that Mahathir would have too much power as he would be able to handpick all Cabinet ministers.

Stormy history

He changed tack Thursday with a surprise announcement that his Bersatu party might nominate his ally Muhyiddin Yassin, who was interior minister until the government collapsed, as a candidate.

"If everybody chooses him, I'm okay," said Mahathir.

Bersatu member Redzuan Yusof said the party would "100 per cent" back Muhyiddin as prime minister, news portal Malaysiakini reported.

The drama began at the weekend when some MPs from the then ruling "Pact of Hope" coalition, which stormed to a historic victory in 2018, sought to join opposition groups and form a new government.

The move appeared aimed at pushing Anwar and his allies out of government and stopping him becoming premier. Mahathir had pledged to eventually hand power to his old foe.

Mahathir and Anwar's stormy history has shaped Malaysian politics ever since Mahathir -- during the first stint in office in the 1990s -- sacked Anwar as his deputy, and he was jailed on dubious sodomy charges.

They reconciled ahead of the 2018 polls to oust a corruption-plagued coalition led by Najib Razak, who was accused of plundering state investment fund 1MDB.

Billions of dollars were looted from the fund and spent on everything from a super-yacht to pricey artworks.

Malaysia's parliament will vote Monday on the country's next prime minister in a bid to end a political crisis, but if no candidate has enough support there will be a snap election, Mahathir Mohamad said.

Malaysia's parliament will vote Monday on the country's next prime minister in a bid to end a political crisis, but if no candidate has enough support there will be a snap election, Mahathir Mohamad said. It was the latest twist in a drama triggered when Mahathir quit as premier and the government collapsed following a failed attempt to form a new ruling coalition without his designated successor, Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar and Mahathir, at 94 the world's oldest leader, are now locked in a power struggle, reviving a rivalry that has loomed over politics in the Southeast Asian nation for two decades. The king appoints the prime minister and had interviewed the country's MPs to work out who they backed, but Mahathir said no candidate with enough support emerged. A candidate must have the backing of at least 112 MPs to become premier. The king "says that the right forum will be parliament," said Mahathir on Thursday, following a morning meeting with the monarch. He added the legislature would sit on Monday to determine who has sufficient backing to become premier. "However if the (parliament) fails to find a person with a majority, then we will have to go for a snap election," added Mahathir, who was appointed interim leader following his resignation. Mahathir initially appeared to have strong support to remain as premier and had announced he wanted to form a government of national unity and was willing to return as leader. Three parties from the former ruling coalition have already put Anwar's name forward to be premier. However, Mahathir's idea of a unity government was rejected by leaders across the political spectrum, with some expressing concerns that Mahathir would have too much power as he would be able to handpick all Cabinet ministers. Stormy history He changed tack Thursday with a surprise announcement that his Bersatu party might nominate his ally Muhyiddin Yassin, who was interior minister until the government collapsed, as a candidate. "If everybody chooses him, I'm okay," said Mahathir. Bersatu member Redzuan Yusof said the party would "100 per cent" back Muhyiddin as prime minister, news portal Malaysiakini reported. The drama began at the weekend when some MPs from the then ruling "Pact of Hope" coalition, which stormed to a historic victory in 2018, sought to join opposition groups and form a new government. The move appeared aimed at pushing Anwar and his allies out of government and stopping him becoming premier. Mahathir had pledged to eventually hand power to his old foe. Mahathir and Anwar's stormy history has shaped Malaysian politics ever since Mahathir -- during the first stint in office in the 1990s -- sacked Anwar as his deputy, and he was jailed on dubious sodomy charges. They reconciled ahead of the 2018 polls to oust a corruption-plagued coalition led by Najib Razak, who was accused of plundering state investment fund 1MDB. Billions of dollars were looted from the fund and spent on everything from a super-yacht to pricey artworks.

Malaysian parliament to vote on new PM amid crisis

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak announced the dissolution of parliament on Friday, paving the way for a general election showdown with his old mentor and the country's most seasoned campaigner, Mahathir Mohamad.

Najib is under pressure to deliver an emphatic win for the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, as he struggles to appease Malaysians unhappy with rising costs and a multi-billion dollar scandal at a state fund he founded.

The 64-year-old leader is expected to retain power due to a rift in opposition ranks between Mahathir's bloc and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party.

But analysts predict a tough fight from Mahathir, who transformed Malaysia into an industrial nation from a rural backwater during his iron-fisted 22-year rule until 2003.

The opposition says the election will be unfair.

In recent days, parliament approved plans to redraw electoral boundaries and passed a contentious anti-fake news bill, changes critics say will favour Najib.

The government rejects the accusations.

"If victory is given to BN, we promise to do our best, to carry out a bigger, more inclusive and more comprehensive transformation of the country," Najib said in an announcement on state television, adding that the dissolution of parliament would be effective from Saturday.

Polling must be held within 60 days of a dissolution. The Election Commission is expected to meet in days to announce a date for the approximately 14 million eligible voters to cast their ballots.

High living costs and corruption are issues that have resonated with voters but overall, Najib's standing is likely to be bolstered by a robust economy.

"We don't choose parties, we choose leaders," said 27-year-old Amir Mukris Bakeri, a travel agent in Kuala Lumpur.

"If the leader can provide for people's welfare, that's who we'd pick."

Growth has been buoyed by a recovery in global crude oil prices and increased trade and infrastructure investment from Malaysia's largest trading partner, China.

'Tricks'

Political apathy, however, is pervasive among young Malaysians and urban voters, many of whom are reluctant to choose between Mahathir and Najib, who are seen as cut from the same cloth.

Mahathir, 92, who was himself criticised for his authoritarian premiership, told a news conference Malaysia's 14th general election would be "dirty".

"Should Najib win this election through his tricks and his cheating, then we can kiss goodbye to democracy in the 15th, 16th, 17th elections," Mahathir said.

If elected, Mahathir would become the world's oldest prime minister.

Najib resisted demands to step down in mid-2015 following reports of financial mismanagement at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), including that $681 million was deposited into his personal bank account.

Najib has denied any wrongdoing in connection with 1MDB, but the scandal created a rift between Najib and Mahathir, who has become the prime minister's harshest critic.

With the common goal of taking down Najib, Mahathir has joined hands with his former deputy and jailed opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, ending a feud that had shaped the country's political narrative over two decades.

'Unpredictable'

Najib's United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) party heads the ruling coalition that has held power since Malaysia's independence in 1957.

The coalition lost the popular vote in the last election, in 2013, but Najib held on to power with a smaller majority in parliament.

Malaysia has a first-past-the-post election system, which is based on the number of seats won, not the popular vote.

Even if Najib's coalition retains power, a weak victory could lead to an internal leadership challenge against him.

His predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, had to step down after the coalition lost its two-thirds majority in the 222-seat parliament for the first time in 2008.

"He wants not only to win, but to win big," said Yang Razali Kassim, Senior Fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

The election could be a very close call, he said.

"This will in fact be the most unpredictable general election in Malaysian politics," he said.

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Najib is under pressure to deliver an emphatic win for the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, as he struggles to appease Malaysians unhappy with rising costs and a multi-billion dollar scandal at a state fund he founded

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak announced the dissolution of parliament on Friday, paving the way for a general election showdown with his old mentor and the country's most seasoned campaigner, Mahathir Mohamad. Najib is under pressure to deliver an emphatic win for the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, as he struggles to appease Malaysians unhappy with rising costs and a multi-billion dollar scandal at a state fund he founded. The 64-year-old leader is expected to retain power due to a rift in opposition ranks between Mahathir's bloc and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party. But analysts predict a tough fight from Mahathir, who transformed Malaysia into an industrial nation from a rural backwater during his iron-fisted 22-year rule until 2003. The opposition says the election will be unfair. In recent days, parliament approved plans to redraw electoral boundaries and passed a contentious anti-fake news bill, changes critics say will favour Najib. The government rejects the accusations. "If victory is given to BN, we promise to do our best, to carry out a bigger, more inclusive and more comprehensive transformation of the country," Najib said in an announcement on state television, adding that the dissolution of parliament would be effective from Saturday. Polling must be held within 60 days of a dissolution. The Election Commission is expected to meet in days to announce a date for the approximately 14 million eligible voters to cast their ballots. High living costs and corruption are issues that have resonated with voters but overall, Najib's standing is likely to be bolstered by a robust economy. "We don't choose parties, we choose leaders," said 27-year-old Amir Mukris Bakeri, a travel agent in Kuala Lumpur. "If the leader can provide for people's welfare, that's who we'd pick." Growth has been buoyed by a recovery in global crude oil prices and increased trade and infrastructure investment from Malaysia's largest trading partner, China. 'Tricks' Political apathy, however, is pervasive among young Malaysians and urban voters, many of whom are reluctant to choose between Mahathir and Najib, who are seen as cut from the same cloth. Mahathir, 92, who was himself criticised for his authoritarian premiership, told a news conference Malaysia's 14th general election would be "dirty". "Should Najib win this election through his tricks and his cheating, then we can kiss goodbye to democracy in the 15th, 16th, 17th elections," Mahathir said. If elected, Mahathir would become the world's oldest prime minister. Najib resisted demands to step down in mid-2015 following reports of financial mismanagement at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), including that $681 million was deposited into his personal bank account. Najib has denied any wrongdoing in connection with 1MDB, but the scandal created a rift between Najib and Mahathir, who has become the prime minister's harshest critic. With the common goal of taking down Najib, Mahathir has joined hands with his former deputy and jailed opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, ending a feud that had shaped the country's political narrative over two decades. 'Unpredictable' Najib's United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) party heads the ruling coalition that has held power since Malaysia's independence in 1957. The coalition lost the popular vote in the last election, in 2013, but Najib held on to power with a smaller majority in parliament. Malaysia has a first-past-the-post election system, which is based on the number of seats won, not the popular vote. Even if Najib's coalition retains power, a weak victory could lead to an internal leadership challenge against him. His predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, had to step down after the coalition lost its two-thirds majority in the 222-seat parliament for the first time in 2008. "He wants not only to win, but to win big," said Yang Razali Kassim, Senior Fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. The election could be a very close call, he said. "This will in fact be the most unpredictable general election in Malaysian politics," he said.

Malaysians hope for change after PM Najib dissolves parliament ahead of election