The largest party in Malaysia’s ruling alliance said has pulled out its support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin immediately and urged him to make way for a new leader. UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has blamed Muhyiddin’s government has failed to curb the coronavirus pandemic.

Key party in Malaysia ruling alliance withdraws support for PM Muhyiddin

Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad will stand for the premiership on behalf of the former ruling coalition, the interim prime minister said on Saturday, less than a week after he quit and plunged the country into turmoil.

Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad will stand for the premiership on behalf of the former ruling coalition, the interim prime minister said on Saturday, less than a week after he quit and plunged the country into turmoil. "I am now confident that I have the numbers needed to garner majority support," Mahathir said in a statement. That meant that Mahathir, who is the world's oldest government leader at 94, would reunite with on-off ally and long-term rival Anwar Ibrahim, 72, resuming a pact that swept the coalition to a surprise election victory in 2018. "Pakatan Harapan states its full support towards Dr Mahathir as candidate for prime minister," said a statement from the coalition formed by the two men whose struggle has shaped Malaysian politics for two decades. Mahathir has thus secured the likely support he needs to return as prime minister full-time, less than a week after he resigned and was appointed as interim leader. The political futures of both Mahathir and Anwar had appeared in doubt on Friday, with Anwar competing as a candidate in his own right and Mahathir finding little support for a unity government that would have strengthened his power. A new alliance had formed behind former interior minister Muhyiddin Yassin, 72, who had the backing of the old ruling party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). It was that party, tarnished by corruption, that Mahathir and Anwar united to drive from power in 2018 under then prime minister Najib Razak, who now faces graft charges. Tension had persisted between Mahathir and Anwar over the prime minister's promise to one day hand power to the younger man. No date for that was ever set, however. Neither Mahathir nor Pakatan Harapan made any mention of that promise in Saturday's statements.

Malaysian turmoil takes new twist as Mahathir and Anwar ally again

Malaysia's interim Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-mahathir-mohamad-returns-as-interim-pm-amid-political-turmoil-282516">Mahathir</a> Mohamad has proposed the possibilty&nbsp;of a unity government.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysian-pm-mahathir-mohamad-sends-resignation-letter-to-king-282317">Also Read: Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad sends resignation letter to king</a>

The interim prime minister proposed a unified administration of individuals - one that is devoid of party politics and ideology.

Addressing the nation in a live broadcast, Mahathir stressed on the need for a government that would prioritise country over everything else.

"Party politics must be put aside for now," said Mahathir. "If allowed, I will try to form an inclusive government, not siding with any political parties."

"If I still have the support I will return. If not I will accept whoever is chosen," he added.&nbsp;

Once rivals, Mahathir and Anwar had collectively defeated the Umno&nbsp;party in the general elections that were held in May 2018.

The political crisis in Malaysia started after Anwar accused Mahathir of joining hands with opposition in a bid&nbsp;to continue to stay in power.&nbsp;

In response to these developments, Mahathir tendered his resignation letter to the king and continued as interim prime minister on his insistence.

The continued distrust in ruling coalition and the long-standing tensions between Mahathir and Anwar has left the country in political limbo.&nbsp;

It was also reported earlier that&nbsp;Mahathir's supporters had met with opposition party leader who is accused of one of world's biggest financial scandals but Mahathir has made it clear that he will not join hands with the opposition party.

In his public address, Mahathir made it clear that he is still keen on staying asking for some time, he said he would continue if he has the support but, he also seemed to accept if someone else was chosen to lead the country.

The king appoints the prime minister in the country, and he has been interviewing all the country's MPs since Monday to work out a solution. A candidate must have the backing of at least 112 MPs to become the prime minister.

Malaysia's interim Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has proposed the possibilty of a unity government. Also Read: Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad sends resignation letter to king The interim prime minister proposed a unified administration of individuals - one that is devoid of party politics and ideology.

Malaysia's interim Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has proposed the possibilty of a unity government. Also Read: Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad sends resignation letter to king The interim prime minister proposed a unified administration of individuals - one that is devoid of party politics and ideology. Addressing the nation in a live broadcast, Mahathir stressed on the need for a government that would prioritise country over everything else. "Party politics must be put aside for now," said Mahathir. "If allowed, I will try to form an inclusive government, not siding with any political parties." "If I still have the support I will return. If not I will accept whoever is chosen," he added. Once rivals, Mahathir and Anwar had collectively defeated the Umno party in the general elections that were held in May 2018. The political crisis in Malaysia started after Anwar accused Mahathir of joining hands with opposition in a bid to continue to stay in power. In response to these developments, Mahathir tendered his resignation letter to the king and continued as interim prime minister on his insistence. The continued distrust in ruling coalition and the long-standing tensions between Mahathir and Anwar has left the country in political limbo. It was also reported earlier that Mahathir's supporters had met with opposition party leader who is accused of one of world's biggest financial scandals but Mahathir has made it clear that he will not join hands with the opposition party. In his public address, Mahathir made it clear that he is still keen on staying asking for some time, he said he would continue if he has the support but, he also seemed to accept if someone else was chosen to lead the country. The king appoints the prime minister in the country, and he has been interviewing all the country's MPs since Monday to work out a solution. A candidate must have the backing of at least 112 MPs to become the prime minister.

Malaysia in turmoil as Mahathir Mohamad proposes unity government

A senior leader of Malaysia&#39;s ruling party quit on Monday, the latest among several party officials to leave or be sacked after criticising Prime Minister Najib Razak over a multi-billion dollar financial scandal involving a state-owned fund. 
 
Recent electoral wins and a gradual recovery in the economy have allowed Najib to sack more critics and reshuffle his cabinet, bringing in loyalists ahead of general polls that may be held as early as next year. 
 
Shafie Apdal, who as a vice-president was the fifth-most senior leader of the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), resigned two weeks after two other senior leaders were sacked by the party over their criticism of Najib&#39;s handling of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. 
 
&quot;Justice is not being done. There is no justice in the way UMNO is being run,&quot; Shafie said on Monday at a rally in his home constituency of Semporna, a ruling party stronghold in the Borneo state of Sabah. 
 
The rally was telecast on social media. 
 
Shafie does not hold any post in government. 
 
Najib has a tight grip over UMNO. He emerged stronger last month as the party&#39;s supreme council sacked deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin and Mukhriz Mahathir, the son of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. It also suspended Shafie, pending investigations into his conduct by the disciplinary board. 
 
All three leaders have been sharp critics of Najib, calling for his resignation following the allegations of graft and mismanagement at 1MDB. 
 
But the sackings and Shafie&#39;s suspension sparked an internal revolt, with local UMNO leaders in Semporna resigning en-bloc in protest. 
 
Earlier on Monday, Shahruddin Md Salleh, an UMNO state legislator from Muhyiddin&#39;s home state of Johor, quit all his party posts. 
 
Najib, who chaired the advisory board of 1MDB, has faced intense pressure following revelations that $681 million had been deposited into his personal account. Najib has denied any wrongdoing. 
 
Malaysia&#39;s UMNO-dominated ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, coasted to victory in two by-elections earlier this month, defying a political movement led by Mahathir who has sought to turn voters against Najib. 
 
The wins, along with a landslide win in the Borneo state of Sarawak last month, prompted some political experts to believe Najib may call snap polls. 
 
Najib has dismissed the rumours, stressing that any decision to call for national polls will &quot;not be governed by by-elections&quot;. 
 
(Reuters)

Recent electoral wins and a gradual recovery in the economy have allowed PM Najib to sack more critics and reshuffle his cabinet

A senior leader of Malaysia's ruling party quit on Monday, the latest among several party officials to leave or be sacked after criticising Prime Minister Najib Razak over a multi-billion dollar financial scandal involving a state-owned fund. Recent electoral wins and a gradual recovery in the economy have allowed Najib to sack more critics and reshuffle his cabinet, bringing in loyalists ahead of general polls that may be held as early as next year. Shafie Apdal, who as a vice-president was the fifth-most senior leader of the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), resigned two weeks after two other senior leaders were sacked by the party over their criticism of Najib's handling of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. "Justice is not being done. There is no justice in the way UMNO is being run," Shafie said on Monday at a rally in his home constituency of Semporna, a ruling party stronghold in the Borneo state of Sabah. The rally was telecast on social media. Shafie does not hold any post in government. Najib has a tight grip over UMNO. He emerged stronger last month as the party's supreme council sacked deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin and Mukhriz Mahathir, the son of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. It also suspended Shafie, pending investigations into his conduct by the disciplinary board. All three leaders have been sharp critics of Najib, calling for his resignation following the allegations of graft and mismanagement at 1MDB. But the sackings and Shafie's suspension sparked an internal revolt, with local UMNO leaders in Semporna resigning en-bloc in protest. Earlier on Monday, Shahruddin Md Salleh, an UMNO state legislator from Muhyiddin's home state of Johor, quit all his party posts. Najib, who chaired the advisory board of 1MDB, has faced intense pressure following revelations that $681 million had been deposited into his personal account. Najib has denied any wrongdoing. Malaysia's UMNO-dominated ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, coasted to victory in two by-elections earlier this month, defying a political movement led by Mahathir who has sought to turn voters against Najib. The wins, along with a landslide win in the Borneo state of Sarawak last month, prompted some political experts to believe Najib may call snap polls. Najib has dismissed the rumours, stressing that any decision to call for national polls will "not be governed by by-elections". (Reuters)

Malaysia's vice president quits amid PM's $681-million scandal

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak today sacked his former deputy from the ruling party, and said he needed more time to think about a cabinet reshuffle. 
 
Former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin was sacked from the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), along with Mukhriz Mahathir, the son of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. 
 
Both have been tough critics of Razak, calling for his resignation following allegations of graft and mismanagement at scandal-hit state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). 
 
Razak, who chaired the advisory board of 1MDB, has faced intense pressure following revelations that up to $1 billion had been deposited into his personal account. Razak has denied any wrongdoing. 
 
He also said he needed more time to think about a cabinet reshuffle. He announced his plan to rejig the lineup after the ruling coalition won the Sarawak state elections by an increased majority last month. 
 
&quot;I need more time to think about it,&quot; he told reporters. 
 
The last cabinet reshuffle was last July, when Razak culled leaders critical of his handling of 1MDB. 
 
Malaysia&#39;s ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, coasted to victory in two by-elections earlier this month, defying a political movement led by Mahathir who has sought to turn voters against Razak. 
 
The wins, along with a landslide win in the Borneo state of Sarawak last month, prompted some political experts to believe Razak may call snap polls. 
 
Razak dismissed these rumours. 
 
&quot;(National) polls are not governed by by-elections. National polls are governed by various other factors,&quot; he said. 
 
(Reuters)

Yassin was among Razak's toughest critic, calling for his resignation after $1 billion appeared in his personal bank account

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak today sacked his former deputy from the ruling party, and said he needed more time to think about a cabinet reshuffle. Former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin was sacked from the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), along with Mukhriz Mahathir, the son of former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. Both have been tough critics of Razak, calling for his resignation following allegations of graft and mismanagement at scandal-hit state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Razak, who chaired the advisory board of 1MDB, has faced intense pressure following revelations that up to $1 billion had been deposited into his personal account. Razak has denied any wrongdoing. He also said he needed more time to think about a cabinet reshuffle. He announced his plan to rejig the lineup after the ruling coalition won the Sarawak state elections by an increased majority last month. "I need more time to think about it," he told reporters. The last cabinet reshuffle was last July, when Razak culled leaders critical of his handling of 1MDB. Malaysia's ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional, coasted to victory in two by-elections earlier this month, defying a political movement led by Mahathir who has sought to turn voters against Razak. The wins, along with a landslide win in the Borneo state of Sarawak last month, prompted some political experts to believe Razak may call snap polls. Razak dismissed these rumours. "(National) polls are not governed by by-elections. National polls are governed by various other factors," he said. (Reuters)

Malaysian PM sacks his former deputy, considers cabinet reshuffle

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