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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim launched his claim to the post of prime minister on Tuesday (October 13) when he formally presented documents to the king in an attempt to show that he gained majority support in parliament to form a new government.
WHATS NEXT?
King Al-Sultan Abdullah was scheduled to meet with leaders of key political parties to assess Anwar’s claim for majority support. The king carried out a similar process in February before appointing current Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to the post.
But the national palace postponed all king meetings as the partial shutdown began on Wednesday in the capital Kuala Lumpur and the neighboring state of Selangor amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.
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Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim and Malaysian King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah pose for photos before their meeting at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur on October 13, 2020 (Photo: AFP / National Palace of Malaysia / Handout)
The palace said the process could resume at some point after coronavirus restrictions are lifted, during which time the king would check with other political leaders if Anwar really has their backing to be prime minister.
The king could then appoint Anwar as prime minister if he is convinced that he has the support of the majority in parliament, or he could dissolve parliament and launch elections with the prime minister’s council.
THE KING IS
The former ruling United Malaysia National Organization (UMNO) party is seen as a key player and who they back could very well make, or break, Anwar’s chances of securing the prime ministerial post.
UMNO is the largest bloc in Muhyiddin’s seven-month administration, which has so far survived with a two-seat parliamentary majority.
But the leaders of the UMNO party have become increasingly unhappy with having to follow the instructions of a prime minister from a minority party.
LEE: Palace postpones meetings with allies of Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia
Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim wears a mask after holding a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on October 13, 2020 (Photo: AFP / Mohd Rasfan).
UMNO announced Tuesday night that it would stop supporting the Muhyiddin government unless it agrees to some new conditions, and some party leaders later said it would not be surprising if they decided to back Anwar.
“The UMNO is simply not used to playing a secondary role, which is the main cause of the leadership challenge. By backing Anwar, the party could demonstrate its ability to decide who becomes prime minister,” said Adib Zalkapli, director of the political risk consultancy. BowerGroupAsia.
WHAT IF ANWAR BECOMES A PM?
If the king appoints Anwar as prime minister, that would make him the country’s third leader this year after Muhyiddin replaced veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad.
But Anwar would have very little time to set up a new administration and, more importantly, draw up a national budget that analysts say should be able to underpin the recovery after the export-dependent economy took a beating from the pandemic of coronavirus.
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Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail arrive for a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on October 13, 2020 (Photo: AFP / Mohd Rasfan).
The Muhyiddin administration is scheduled to present its 2021 Budget on November 6.
“Anwar will have to rely heavily on the bureaucracy if he takes over anytime soon, and any plans / measures announced (by Muhyiddin) will likely continue,” said Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, senior associate at the political and political risk consultancy. Vriens & Partners.
“This is not a policy change, just a policy change.”
