Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Expresses Resignation... Attention on Whether It Will Be Accepted

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Mahathir Mohamad (94), the Prime Minister of Malaysia, tendered his resignation to the King on the 24th. Having first assumed the premiership in 1981 and served for 22 years, he returned to office in May 2018 and resigned just two years later.

According to AP News and others, the Malaysian Prime Minister's Office reported that around 1 p.m. on the day, Prime Minister Mahathir submitted his resignation letter to the King. Specific details were not disclosed.

Foreign media report that it is uncertain whether the King will accept Mahathir's resignation. Major international outlets also noted doubts about whether Mahathir can form a new government with other parties.

This resignation is analyzed as a strategy by Mahathir to nullify his promise to hand over the premiership. Mahathir first took office in 1981 and held the position for 22 years until 2003. After returning as Prime Minister in May 2018, he promised to serve only 2 to 3 years before handing over the position to Anwar Ibrahim, leader of the People's Justice Party (PKR). Based on this, Mahathir formed a coalition government and achieved a regime change.

However, recently there have been suspicions that Mahathir does not intend to hand over the position to Anwar. In particular, although Mahathir declared he would transfer the premiership after hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in November this year, there have been claims that he intends to appoint someone else as his successor.

Anwar also claimed on the 23rd that the opposition factions within Mahathir's party (PPBM - Malaysian United Indigenous Party) and his own party held a secret meeting with the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) to form a new coalition. Accordingly, Mahathir's resignation is expected to cause significant upheaval in Malaysian politics going forward.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.