Malaysia's embattled leader will submit his resignation to the king on Monday, a minister said. His resignation would effectively end his government of 17 months and cause fresh upheaval in the country.&nbsp;

Muhyiddin Yassin has come under pressure to step down since losing his parliamentary majority and also for his administration's response to a worsening Coronavirus outbreak.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-pm-muhyiddin-yassin-defends-himself-after-royal-rebuke-sparks-calls-to-quit-401495">Malaysia: PM Muhyiddin Yassin defends himself after royal rebuke sparks calls to quit</a>

Making a last-ditch effort to hold on to power, on Friday he offered institutional reforms in exchange for support from the opposition. However, the offer was rejected.

Minister Mohamad Redzuan Yusof&nbsp;told AFP that Muhyiddin informed his party's lawmakers about&nbsp;his resignation at a meeting Sunday in Kuala Lumpur.&nbsp;It would be up to King Mohammed to accept&nbsp; Muhyiddin's&nbsp;resignation or not, he said at the meeting.&nbsp;

The prime minister will convene a final cabinet meeting on Monday; he will then present his resignation letter at the palace.

"We did try to convince him to stay on, but he said: 'We do not have the number of MPs.'

In Malaysia, the constitutional monarch appoints the candidate he believes commands majority support in parliament as premier.

Muhyiddin came to power last March without elections after the collapse of Mahathir Mohamad's two-year-old reformist government.

He faced chaos from day one: his government had a weak parliamentary majority, its legitimacy was frequently questioned, and opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim remained a serious challenge.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/key-party-in-malaysia-ruling-alliance-withdraws-support-for-pm-muhyiddin-396679/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The concern that polls might worsen a virus outbreak has prompted speculation that, should he resign, the new government will be appointed without elections.

As long as there is no clear successor, there will be days of political horse-trading in parliament before a durable coalition is formed.

(With inputs from agencies)

Malaysia's embattled leader will submit his resignation to the king on Monday, a minister said. His resignation would effectively end his government of 17 months and cause fresh upheaval in the country.

Malaysia's embattled leader will submit his resignation to the king on Monday, a minister said. His resignation would effectively end his government of 17 months and cause fresh upheaval in the country. Muhyiddin Yassin has come under pressure to step down since losing his parliamentary majority and also for his administration's response to a worsening Coronavirus outbreak. Also read | Malaysia: PM Muhyiddin Yassin defends himself after royal rebuke sparks calls to quit Making a last-ditch effort to hold on to power, on Friday he offered institutional reforms in exchange for support from the opposition. However, the offer was rejected. Minister Mohamad Redzuan Yusof told AFP that Muhyiddin informed his party's lawmakers about his resignation at a meeting Sunday in Kuala Lumpur. It would be up to King Mohammed to accept Muhyiddin's resignation or not, he said at the meeting. The prime minister will convene a final cabinet meeting on Monday; he will then present his resignation letter at the palace. "We did try to convince him to stay on, but he said: 'We do not have the number of MPs.' In Malaysia, the constitutional monarch appoints the candidate he believes commands majority support in parliament as premier. Muhyiddin came to power last March without elections after the collapse of Mahathir Mohamad's two-year-old reformist government. He faced chaos from day one: his government had a weak parliamentary majority, its legitimacy was frequently questioned, and opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim remained a serious challenge. The concern that polls might worsen a virus outbreak has prompted speculation that, should he resign, the new government will be appointed without elections. As long as there is no clear successor, there will be days of political horse-trading in parliament before a durable coalition is formed. (With inputs from agencies)

Malaysian PM Yassin to announce resignation on Monday: Minister

Malaysia's embattled leader faces state elections Saturday that are his biggest political test since taking office, with analysts saying he desperately needs a win to strengthen his tenuous hold on power.

A defeat for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's allies in Sabah state on Borneo will erode support among his seven-month-old government's coalition partners, increasing pressure for snap national polls, observers warn.

Adding to his problems, the election comes just days after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim launched a bid to topple his administration, claiming he had mustered enough support from MPs to take over.

Malaysia has been gripped by political turmoil since the collapse in February of a reformist government, which was headed by Mahathir Mohamad and included Anwar, amid bitter infighting.&nbsp;

Muhyiddin seized power without an election and leads a coalition backed by a scandal-plagued party, but his administration has only a wafer-thin majority in parliament and critics say it is illegitimate.&nbsp;

The Sabah elections were called after a Muhyiddin ally launched a bid to take over the opposition-controlled local government. But rather than cede power, the chief minister dissolved the state assembly.

About 1.1 million people are eligible to vote for 73 assembly seats in the state on the northeastern tip of jungle-clad Borneo island, which is home to a dizzying array of indigenous groups. &nbsp;

Loose coalitions are backing the government and the opposition, but analysts say the vote is too close to call. Results are expected late Saturday.

The outcome will not directly affect the balance of power at the national level, but it is a key test of Muhyiddin's popularity.

Despite taking power without a democratic vote, he has won praise for his government's handling of the coronavirus outbreak, and received a 69 percent approval rating in a recent survey.

"He needs a win to show... that the high popularity he enjoys can be translated into votes on the ground," Ibrahim Suffian, head of independent polling firm Merdeka Center, told AFP.&nbsp;

"If he loses badly, then the government could potentially collapse."

Muhyiddin has faced pressure from his allies to call a general election soon to secure a stronger mandate, but some observers believe he wants to delay as long as possible.&nbsp;

That, however, may become difficult if he fares badly in Sabah.

Anwar's power play has added to pressure on Muhyiddin but does not appear to have gained traction for now.

He has refused to reveal the number of MPs backing him while the king, who appoints the country's premier, has postponed an appointment to see him due to ill health.

Malaysia's embattled leader faces state elections Saturday that are his biggest political test since taking office, with analysts saying he desperately needs a win to strengthen his tenuous hold on power.

Malaysia's embattled leader faces state elections Saturday that are his biggest political test since taking office, with analysts saying he desperately needs a win to strengthen his tenuous hold on power. A defeat for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's allies in Sabah state on Borneo will erode support among his seven-month-old government's coalition partners, increasing pressure for snap national polls, observers warn. Adding to his problems, the election comes just days after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim launched a bid to topple his administration, claiming he had mustered enough support from MPs to take over. Malaysia has been gripped by political turmoil since the collapse in February of a reformist government, which was headed by Mahathir Mohamad and included Anwar, amid bitter infighting. Muhyiddin seized power without an election and leads a coalition backed by a scandal-plagued party, but his administration has only a wafer-thin majority in parliament and critics say it is illegitimate. The Sabah elections were called after a Muhyiddin ally launched a bid to take over the opposition-controlled local government. But rather than cede power, the chief minister dissolved the state assembly. About 1.1 million people are eligible to vote for 73 assembly seats in the state on the northeastern tip of jungle-clad Borneo island, which is home to a dizzying array of indigenous groups. Loose coalitions are backing the government and the opposition, but analysts say the vote is too close to call. Results are expected late Saturday. The outcome will not directly affect the balance of power at the national level, but it is a key test of Muhyiddin's popularity. Despite taking power without a democratic vote, he has won praise for his government's handling of the coronavirus outbreak, and received a 69 percent approval rating in a recent survey. "He needs a win to show... that the high popularity he enjoys can be translated into votes on the ground," Ibrahim Suffian, head of independent polling firm Merdeka Center, told AFP. "If he loses badly, then the government could potentially collapse." Muhyiddin has faced pressure from his allies to call a general election soon to secure a stronger mandate, but some observers believe he wants to delay as long as possible. That, however, may become difficult if he fares badly in Sabah. Anwar's power play has added to pressure on Muhyiddin but does not appear to have gained traction for now. He has refused to reveal the number of MPs backing him while the king, who appoints the country's premier, has postponed an appointment to see him due to ill health.

Malaysian PM faces major test in state polls

Malaysia reported 41 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, all linked to a religious event on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur that was attended by about 10,000 people from several countries.

The new cases bring the total number of infected people in the Southeast Asian country to 238, the health ministry said in a statement.

A total of 81 cases in Malaysia have now been confirmed as linked to the same event held at a mosque between February 27 and March 1.

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Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Friday that the country was facing a "second wave" of infections, and warned of an impact on economic growth.

To contain the spread of the virus, all gatherings including international meetings, sports, social and religious events would be cancelled or postponed until after April, he said.

In neighbouring Brunei, 38 of the total 40 cases in the country had been linked to the religious gathering as of Saturday.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-health-minister-nadine-dorries-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-285519">British health minister Nadine Dorries tests positive for coronavirus</a>

A total of 85 Bruneians attended the gathering, and 18 tested positive. The remainder of the 38 are their immediate family members, friends or co-workers, the health ministry said.

New cases in Brunei include a 9-month-old baby, the child of a man who attended the religious event.

The speaker of Brunei's legislative council called for the current session to end on Saturday, a week ahead of schedule and bringing an abrupt end to budget discussions, because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Malaysia reported 41 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, all linked to a religious event on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur that was attended by about 10,000 people from several countries.

Malaysia reported 41 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, all linked to a religious event on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur that was attended by about 10,000 people from several countries. The new cases bring the total number of infected people in the Southeast Asian country to 238, the health ministry said in a statement. A total of 81 cases in Malaysia have now been confirmed as linked to the same event held at a mosque between February 27 and March 1. Also read: Entry banned in Malaysia and Thailand amid virus fears, Ship returns Singapore Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Friday that the country was facing a "second wave" of infections, and warned of an impact on economic growth. To contain the spread of the virus, all gatherings including international meetings, sports, social and religious events would be cancelled or postponed until after April, he said. In neighbouring Brunei, 38 of the total 40 cases in the country had been linked to the religious gathering as of Saturday. Also see: British health minister Nadine Dorries tests positive for coronavirus A total of 85 Bruneians attended the gathering, and 18 tested positive. The remainder of the 38 are their immediate family members, friends or co-workers, the health ministry said. New cases in Brunei include a 9-month-old baby, the child of a man who attended the religious event. The speaker of Brunei's legislative council called for the current session to end on Saturday, a week ahead of schedule and bringing an abrupt end to budget discussions, because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Malaysia reports 41 new cases of coronavirus, all linked to religious event

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Mahathir Mohamad lost out in the battle to become prime minister of Malaysia on February 29 as the king named former interior minister Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister of Malaysia after a week of political turmoil sparked by Mahathir's resignation. Today Muhyiddin Yassin was officially sworn in as the prime minister of Malaysia.

News Alert: Muhyiddin yassin sworn in as PM of Malaysia

Muhyiddin Yassin succeeds Mahathir Mohamad as PM of Malaysia