Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin Expected To Resign Today, Two UMNO Politicians Have The Opportunity To Fill His Position

Malaysian PM Muhyiddin Yassin. (Twitter/@MuhyiddinYassin)

JAKARTA - Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is expected to step down on Monday, media reports said, having lost his majority in parliament due to infighting within the ruling coalition.

If confirmed, Muhyiddin's resignation would end a tumultuous 17-month tenure but also increase uncertainty in Malaysia as the country grapples with soaring COVID-19 cases and an economic downturn.

It is not yet clear who will form the next government as neither has a clear majority in parliament. Meanwhile, the opportunity to hold elections is still being considered in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision is likely to be left in the hands of Malaysia's constitutional monarch Al-Sultan Abdullah, who can appoint a prime minister, from among elected members of parliament based on who he thinks is likely to lead the majority.

Muhyiddin, who for weeks opposed calls to step down, told party members that he would present his resignation to the king on Monday, according to Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, a minister in the prime minister's department, news portal Malaysiakini reported on Sunday. The minister's office and Muhyiddin did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

A change of leadership could hinder Malaysia's efforts to restart the pandemic-hit economy and curb a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. The COVID-19 infection and death rate per million people in Malaysia is the highest in Southeast Asia.

Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation could also return the post of prime minister to the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), Malaysia's 'big old party', which was elected in 2018 elections after being marred by allegations of corruption.

The top two contenders for the post of prime minister or interim prime minister include deputy prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and veteran lawmaker Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, both from UMNO.

To note, Muhyiddin's grip on power since he took office as Malaysian PM in March 2020 has not been so strong with a slim majority. Pressure on him has increased recently, after several lawmakers from UMNO, the largest party in the ruling alliance, withdrew support.

Had denied, last week for the first time he admitted that he did not have a majority last week. Applications for opposition support to win a vote of no confidence were rejected.