KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Following is a summary of the past, present and upcoming events in Malaysia arising from an attempt to realign the political landscape of the country.
What has unfolded
Feb 21: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announces that the presidential council of the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition has decided to allow him to determine the date he will step down as the prime minister and hand over power to his successor. He had said repeatedly that he will step down after Malaysia hosts the APEC meeting in November.
(It has been reported that there had been an agreement in PH on a power transition involving Dr Mahathir and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. PKR is one of four component parties in PH, the others being Dr Mahathir’s Bersatu, DAP and Amanah.)
Feb 23: Several MPs from both sides of the political divide gather at a hotel in Petaling Jaya over what became clear later was an attempt to form a new coalition government with different component parties.
(PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali is believed to be the key figure in this move. Azmin has been at loggerheads with Anwar.)
Feb 24: Dr Mahathir submits his resignation as the prime minister and chairman of Bersatu.
(Dr Mahathir explained later that one reason for his resignation as the PM was that he was loathe to having UMNO in the new coalition government that would have been set up. UMNO is a partner in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition that PH defeated in the 2018 general election.)
Just hours after his resignation, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah appoints Dr Mahathir as the interim prime minister.
PKR sacks Azmin and vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin who was aligned to him.
Almost simultaneously, Azmin, Zuraida and nine other PKR MPs announce their resignation from the party.
Bersatu announces its withdrawal from PH, thus causing the collapse of the PH government as it loses its majority in Parliament.
(PH had 129 seats in the 222-seat Parliament. After the departure of Bersatu (26 seats) and Azmin and his allies (11 seats), the number of PH MPs dwindled to 92 comprising those from DAP (42), PKR (39) and Amanah (11).)
Feb 25: Al-Sultan Abdullah, in accordance with provisions in the Federal Constitution, decides to find the best solution to the crisis.
His Majesty conducts a one-to-one interview of all the MPs to determine their alignment and find out who, in their view, has the support of the majority of the MPs to be the prime minister.
The Muafakat Nasional coalition, comprising BN and another opposition party, PAS, withdraws support for Dr Mahathir and calls for the dissolution of Parliament to pave the way for a snap election after stating that it is for a unity government only if it does not include DAP.
Feb 26: In a live address over television, Dr Mahathir apologises for the political crisis and gives the reasons for his resignation as the prime minister.
He reveals his plan to establish a non-partisan government comprising individuals rather than political parties.
PH announces the nomination of Anwar as the next PM.
What is unfolding
Feb 27: Dr Mahathir has an audience with Al-Sultan Abdullah.
Kedah and Melaka announce they are maintaining a status quo of their governments.
Johor announces a new coalition government.
Johor and Melaka postpone their state legislative assembly sessions scheduled for March 5 and March 6, respectively.
Anwar attends meeting of PKR MPs.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin meets Dr Mahathir at the latter’s office at the Perdana Putra Building.
Dr Mahathir announces that he is back as chairman of Bersatu.
What is to unfold
March 2: A special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat to elect as the new prime minister the MP who commands the majority in the House, failing which a snap election will be called.
— BERNAMA