Muhyiddin Yassin’s cabinet resigns: Khairy Jamaluddin

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin addresses the nation on Aug. 4, 2021. Photo: RTM
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin addresses the nation on Aug. 4, 2021. Photo: RTM

Malaysia’s cabinet has tendered resignation after a meeting with the king, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Khairy Jamaluddin announced online today. 

The announcement came amid news that ministers were meeting with outgoing Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin for the last time this morning before proceeding to the palace for an audience with Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad. Muhyiddin addressed the nation later today.

“The cabinet has tendered our resignation to the Agong. Thank you for the opportunity to, once again, serve the nation. May God bless Malaysia,” Khairy wrote on Instagram. 

Muhyiddin was subsequently reappointed as caretaker prime minister until a replacement is sworn in, according to a statement from the palace. The king was not in favor of conducting fresh elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Khairy Jamaluddin announced on Aug. 16, 2021 that Malaysia's cabinet has resigned. Photo: Khairy Jamaludin/Instagram
Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Khairy Jamaluddin announced on Aug. 16, 2021 that Malaysia’s cabinet has resigned. Photo: Khairy Jamaludin/Instagram

Muhyiddin expressed his intention to resign yesterday, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Mohd Redzuan Yusof,  after Muhyiddin admitted to losing majority support in Parliament. A number of cabinet members and their staff were later understood to have begun clearing their offices.

Muhyiddin has been under fire over the poor management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country as well as the shoddy revocation of the emergency ordinances. 

On Friday, he made a last-ditch attempt at appealing for support from all Members of Parliament by admitting his loss of support and subsequently promising a slew of reforms on the condition that he survives a confidence vote in Parliament slated for September. 

However, political parties Pakatan Harapan, UMNO, Warisan, MUDA, Upko, Pejuang and Parti Sarawak Bersatu rejected the overtures and continued to press for his resignation.

It is not clear who will succeed Muhyiddin. Last year, ex-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad was also made caretaker prime minister before Muhyiddin’s appointment.

Watch Muhyiddin address the nation for the last time as prime minister:

Other stories: 

Malaysian police officers not allowed to go on leave amid Muhyiddin’s leadership crisis

Muhyiddin’s fate as prime minister lies in September vote of confidence



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