Hope for Anwar Ibrahim as Malaysian king remains firm on unity plan

Weariness began to set in among Malaysians on Wednesday (Nov 23) as the country's post-election political impasse lingered, though there were positive signs for those backing reformist opposition Anwar Ibrahim as the next prime minister. King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah's convening of a special meeting with the nation's other hereditary sultans suggested a resolution was in...

Muhyiddin ally Annuar Musa slammed for stoking race tensions with disinformation

A Malaysian minister seen as close to prime ministerial contender Muhyiddin Yassin on Wednesday (Nov 23) was forced to amend a Facebook post that commenters said was dangerously fanning racial tensions amid the country's political deadlock. Annuar Musa, a member of the Barisan Nasional bloc had shared an undated video, seemingly featuring a Taiwanese political rally with...

Malaysian king calls council of sultans to resolve election crisis

Malaysia's king on Wednesday (Nov 23) called a special meeting of his fellow hereditary sultans to discuss who should be prime minister as an unprecedented post-election crisis entered its fourth day. The king is due to pick a new prime minister after the leading contenders — opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin — failed to secure enough...

Who is Malaysia’s king and why is he picking the prime minister?

Malaysian King Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is in the spotlight as he mulls his choice on who will be the country's next prime minister, after an election left no party with a majority in parliament and coalition talks failed. Al-Sultan Abdullah on Tuesday said he would "soon" decide between opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former...

Malaysia king to choose prime minister in post-election crisis

Malaysia's king said on Tuesday (Nov 22) he will pick the next prime minister, after the leading two contenders failed to win a majority in last weekend's election and his proposal for the two to work together was turned down. The vote resulted in an unprecedented hung parliament, with neither opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim nor former premier...

No decision made about who Malaysia’s next PM will be: Anwar

Malaysia's King has asked that a cross-coalition unity government be formed, after an audience with Pakatan Harapan (PH) leader Anwar Ibrahim and his rival Muhyiddin Yassin of Perikatan Nasional (PN) at the palace on Tuesday. This comes after the Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance decided to remain in the opposition, leaving no leader with a simple majority...

Malaysia King set to decide on Anwar or Muhyiddin as prime minister

Malaysia's King Al-Sultan Abdullah will pick the next prime minister soon, state news agency Bernama reported on Tuesday (Nov 22), citing the national palace, which did not specify timing for his decision. The palace statement comes as incumbent coalition said it would not support opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim or former premier Muhyiddin Yassin in forming a...

‘Still angry’: As Malaysians lose faith in politics, will new faces offer hope?

At a Kuala Lumpur tea stall, Kamal, a civil servant in his mid-40s, said his vote this time would be driven by "disgust" over the politicking and infighting that has riddled Malaysia since its last election in 2018. The Pakatan Harapan (PH) government collapsed less than two years into a five-year mandate given by that election...

Malaysia to go to polls on Nov 19

Malaysia will hold a general election on Nov 19, its election commission said on Thursday (Oct 20), in a contest that the ruling graft-tainted party hopes would strengthen its hold on power. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob dissolved parliament on Oct 10th and called for snap polls, saying an election would end years of political instability. Candidates will have to file...

Key issues as Malaysia gets set to go to the polls

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob called for an early election on Monday (Oct 10), to win a stronger mandate and stabilise a rocky political landscape that has persisted in the wake of the multi-billion dollar 1MDB scandal and covid crisis. Here are the key issues that will determine how Malaysians vote: Economy & inflation Rising prices and economic...