Anwar’s leadership remains uncertain after meeting with Malaysia’s king

Anwar Ibrahim, at right, with Malaysia’s king Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. Photo: Istana Negara/Facebook
Anwar Ibrahim, at right, with Malaysia’s king Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. Photo: Istana Negara/Facebook

The fate of Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership remains uncertain after this morning’s 25-minute meeting with king Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

According to the palace, the opposition leader had provided documents to prove that he had enough parliamentary support to form a new government and become prime minister, but those documents were short of a list of names of Anwar’s supporters. 

“In the 25-minute meeting, Anwar presented a document with the total number of parliamentarians that support him. However, he did not present the names of his supporters to strengthen his claims,” the statement written by palace official Indera Ahmad Fadil said.

“As such, Sultan Abdullah has advised Anwar to respect the law and its processes, as stated in the constitution,” it added. It is not clear whether Anwar would be required to return to the palace to submit more documents. 

The palace statement was released minutes after Anwar ended his 2pm press conference at Le Meridien, where he said that he had submitted documents proving that he had the support of more than 120 parliamentary members. Those documents contained the number of Anwar’s supporters, oaths, and statements by respective parties, he told reporters. In response to questions, Anwar said that he would reveal the list of parliamentarians supporting him at a later time. 

Anwar needed the support of at least 112 out of 222 lawmakers to form a new government.

“I appeal to Malaysians to exercise patience, wisdom, and to allow the King to make a decision based on the constitution,” the president of the People’s Justice Party said, adding: “I have shown the King the document that proves I have the majority support of the members of parliament.”

The king will need time to go over the paperwork and consult other parties, according to Anwar. 

“I ask for everyone to give the King space to carry out his duties according to the laws, constitution, and the discretion of His Highness. He should be given adequate time to study the document and consult other political party leaders,” Anwar said. He was accompanied by his wife and former deputy prime minister Wan Azizah, former trade and consumer affairs minister Saifuddin Nasution, and People’s Justice Party communications officer Fahmi Fadzil.

Despite the uncertainty, Anwar went on to say that it was an “appropriate” time for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to resign.

“Based on today’s events, I’m confident that Muhyiddin’s government has fallen and he has lost his majority. It would be appropriate for him to resign,” he said.

The police summoned Anwar yesterday over a list of 121 names of parliamentarians that leaked online. It contained his colleague Fahmi and even disgraced former prime minister Najib Razak, who is still on trial over the alleged appropriation of the 1MDB state fund. 

 




 

Other stories to check out:

Anwar Ibrahim meets Malaysia’s king in bid to seek new government



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