Since March, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s precarious stance within his own ruling National Alliance (PN) has been generating constant speculation as to when — not if — early elections could be held.… Read the rest
The United Malays National Organization (UMNO) decided late Monday evening to continue supporting Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. Over the weekend, the prime minister had asked the king to declare a state of emergency, which would have forestalled any attempt to bring down his government, either by the opposition or from within his own coalition.… Read the rest
A statement from United Malays National Organization (UMNO) leader Zahid Hamidi calling for a “political ceasefire” and announcing his party’s continued support for the current ruling coalition signal the unraveling of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s attempt to become prime minister — at least for now.… Read the rest
Today’s meeting between Anwar Ibrahim and Malaysia’s king failed to resolve the question of whether the opposition leader has the support of a majority in the 222-seat parliament in his bid to unseat Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.… Read the rest
In a surprise, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim announced midday today in Kuala Lumpur that he had the numbers to become prime minister and that he was seeking an audience with the Malaysian king.… Read the rest
Two developments over the weekend seemed to confirm that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin remains vulnerable, not so much from the opposition, but from his own coalition allies. The status of the ruling coalition remains shaky, which sustains the chances of early elections.… Read the rest
The court decision issued on 28 July finding former Prime Minister Najib Razak guilty of having diverted USD 9.87 from a subsidiary of state development fund 1MDB into his personal bank account may deliver some popular benefits to the current PM, Muhyiddin Yassin.… Read the rest
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was able to remove the parliamentary speaker chosen by the previous government by a vote of 111-109 in the 222-seat chamber, with one MP absent and the presiding officer abstaining (which makes the ruling coalition’s actual majority 113-109).… Read the rest
Former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and People’s Justice Party (PKR) leader Anwar Ibrahim have over the past few days hardened their respective positions on becoming the opposition’s candidate for prime minister.… Read the rest
