No Minimum Majority Coalition, Malaysia's King Will Choose A New Prime Minister

Malaysia's King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. (Wikimedia Commons/Roosevelt2022)

JAKARTA - Malaysia's King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah said on Tuesday he would soon elect his next prime minister, but did not specify the time for his decision, as the political crisis from inconclusive elections continues into the third day.

Saturday's election resulted in an unprecedented hanging parliament, with none of the two main prime prime competitors of the prime minister, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, winning the simple majority needed to form a government.

The election extends the country's political instability, at risk of delaying policy decisions needed to promote economic recovery.

The incumbent of the National Barisan Coalition said it would not support any of the candidates, a move that would prevent Anwar and Muhyiddin from reaching the majority.

It now depends on the king, who plays a ceremonial role but can appoint anyone he believes will lead the majority.

"Let me make a decision immediately," the king told reporters outside the national palace.

He also asked Malaysians to accept any decisions regarding the formation of a government.

The king has given political parties until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, to gather the alliance needed for the majority.

Uncertainty hit the stock market of Kuala Lumpur, which fell for a second day on Tuesday. A significant election victory by the Islamic party added to investor fear, especially over gambling policies and alcohol consumption.

Its electoral gain has also raised concerns in multicultural Malaysia, which has significant ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities following other religions. The PAS Islamic Party has advocated for sharia law.

Malaysian police warned users of the country's social media not to upload "provocative" content about race and religion after.

Anwar's progressive coalition and conservative Malay Muslim alliance Muhyiddin, which includes Islamic parties, both say they have majority support, although they do not identify their supporters.

Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod, a law lecturer at Malaysia's International Islamic University, said the minority government could be formed or the king could ask to meet with lawmakers personally, to hear their choice as prime ministers.

"If a minority government is appointed, it is appropriate for the government to only apply for a vote of confidence when parliament reopens," he explained.

The Anwar Coalition won 82 seats on Saturday's election, while Muhyiddin's camp won 73 seats. They need 112, a simple majority, to form a government.

Meanwhile, Barisan has only won 30 seats, its worst election performance, but is expected to play an important role in deciding who will form the government, as support is needed for both Anwar and Muhyiddin to get 112 seats.

Barisan's once dominant setback and its main party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), have ushered in a new phase of uncertainty in Malaysia.

The National Front led every government since independence from British colonialism in 1957 to its first defeat in the 2018 elections. They returned to power under Ismail in 2021 after the collapse of two coalitions from the dispute.

The allegations of corruption, largely related to the billions of dollars in looting from state funds 1Malaysia Development Bhd (IMDB), which caused former prime minister Najib Razak to be jailed this year, seriously damaged UMNO's image.