Durian. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has submitted his resignation letter to the country’s king Sultan Abdullah Shah on Feb.24 afternoon amid current political turmoil.
“Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad has delivered a letter on his resignation as Malaysian Prime Minister today,” statement from the Prime Minister Office on Feb.24.
The letter was submitted at 1 p.m. local time, according to the statement.
In November last year, the 94 years old Prime Minister has said that he would hand over the power to Anwar Ibrahim, the president of the People’s Justice Party (PKR).
On Feb.21, a meeting was held among members of ruling coalition Pakatan Harapan (PH), or Alliace of Hope, aimed to determine the date for Mahathir to hand over premiership to Anwar Ibrahim, but Parti Pribumi Bersatu (United Indigenous Party of Malaysia – PPBM), threated to quit the coalition if it happened.
The conclusion of the meeting was giving authority to Mahathir to make decision on the succession of power.
However, on Feb.23, some leaders of PPBM made a shocking move which to form coalition with opposition UMNO.
Anwar Ibrahim and political leaders from the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Amanah Negara held a meeting on Feb.23 night at his residence.
“We’re surprised today with the [political] development that for us also a betrayal, because it was promised earlier. There will be a change in the near future…probably by tomorrow,” Anwar said as reported by Astro Awani.
A few hours after Mahathir submitted his resignation letter, the king invited Anwar Ibrahim and wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who is deputy prime minister of Malaysia.
“It’s a meeting to express my views…general discussion. PM just submitted his resignation, I think having an audience with the king, shortly we go on from there letter,” Anwar said after meeting with the king and about the future expectation on ruling coalition as broadcasted by Channel News Asia.
In the afternoon of Feb.24, PPBM issued a statement that Mahathir Mohamad has officially submitted letter to quit from the party.
No decision has been made by the king of the government ruling yet.
