Malaysia King to Choose Prime Minister in Post-Election Crisis

Malaysia’s King Al-Sultan Abdullah said on Tuesday that he will pick the next prime minister soon after the leading two contenders failed to win a majority in an inconclusive election on Saturday.

The vote resulted in an unprecedented hung parliament, with neither opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim nor former premier Muhyiddin Yassin winning the simple majority needed to form a government.

Galvanise an Economic Recovery.
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 galvanise an economic recovery.

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

But the candidates failed to do so after the incumbent Barisan Nasional coalition refused to align with either.

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 later met with Anwar and Muhyiddin, and summoned lawmakers from the Barisan Nasional coalition for a meeting on Wednesday.

Strong Government
Anwar told reporters that the king, in their meeting, expressed his desire to form a strong government “that is more inclusive in terms of race, religion, or region” and one that can focus on the economy.

“For now, there is no question about forming a minority government,” Anwar said without elaborating.

The Saturday election also showed how divided multi-ethnic Malaysia is.

Anwar’s progressive coalition won the most number of seats, but “an Islamist party that has touted sharia law made huge gains,” raising fears in Malaysia — which has significant ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian minorities following other faiths.

Reuters /Shakirat Sadiq