JAKARTA - The King of Malaysia Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin has agreed to the resignation of Mahathir Mohammad who resigned from his position as Prime Minister (PM). The Yang Dipertuan Agung will also dissolve Mahathir's cabinet by removing his 26 ministers.
Announcing from Free Malaysia Today, Chief Secretary to Government Mohd Zuki Ali said the move to remove the 26 ministers in Mahathir's cabinet was done based on Article 43 (5) of the Malaysian Constitution.
"Based on this, all administrative positions (including deputy prime minister, ministers, deputy ministers, and political secretaries) have been terminated," Zuki was quoted as saying by the VOI on Tuesday, February 25.
Media Statement on the Position of Administrative Members Following the Resignation of YAB Prime Minister of Malaysia pic.twitter.com/ENetA5h4Pm
- Mohd Zuki Ali (@zukiAli_) February 24, 2020
According to the Malaysian constitution, ministers can be fired at the will of the king. This includes if the Yang Dipertuan Agung also receives advice from his Prime Minister. The removal of the ministerial position and the resignation of Mahathir Mohamad as PM caused the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan coalition government which he led for less than two years.
Although Mahathir Mohamad's resignation has been approved by the Yang Dipertuan Agung, Mahathir Mohamad still holds office but as interim prime minister. This is while waiting for the formation of a new cabinet and a new government.
Apart from resigning as the PM of Malaysia, Mahathir also resigned as the Leader of the United Indigenous Party of Malaysia. Meanwhile, Partai Keadilan Rakyat fired its representatives, Azmin Ali and Zuraida Kamaruddin. Nine members of parliament allied with them then resigned from the party to form an independent bloc.
Media Statement: Resignation as United Chairman pic.twitter.com/9ygPEF7U59
- Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) February 24, 2020
The party's resignation was rejected
However, members of the United Indigenous Party of Malaysia have rejected Mahathir Mohamad's resignation as party leader. The members promised to continue to give their support to Mahathir Mohamad to remain the PM of Malaysia.
Speaking after the meeting of the highest council of the United Party of Malaysia on Monday 24 February night, the Secretary-General of the United Party Marzuki Yahya said that the highest council members unanimously supported Mahathir Mohamad.
"We have just concluded a special meeting between senior party members and among the things that have just been discussed is that we, the highest council, rejected Tun Mahathir's letter of resignation as party leader," Marzuki said.
Marzuki added that the party also wants to cancel the suggestion that one of the members of parliament or be expelled from the party.
"We are all united, we are still standing in line and we are building this party and we will face difficulties together," he added.
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