The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has decreed that Muhyiddin Yassin will remain as caretaker prime minister until a new leader is elected, Istana Negara said today, hours after Muhyiddin submitted his resignation from the country’s top post.
In a statement released this morning, the palace said this was in line with Articles 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, which states that the King must choose an MP who, in his judgment, commands the majority support in the Dewan Rakyat as the new prime minister.
The King is also of the view that a General Election is not the best option at the moment after taking into account the safety and well being of the people due to the Covid 19 situation in the country.
The King in his statement thanked Muhyiddin and his Cabinet for their service and administration of the country since March 1 last year, especially in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As the head of state, His Majesty understands and respects the country’s system and legislative process as well as any decision made by Muhyiddin based on the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law,” the palace said.
The statement by the palace also noted how the King hopes that the ceaseless political strife will end for the sake of the “rakyat” and the economy that has been threatened by COVID-19 since March 2020.