After days of Malaysia’s political chaos a Its fifth prime minister in five years.
This is what the country now depends on a A veteran politician will bring back political stability while leading a polarized electorate — split between one faction that sees itself as modern and multicultural, and another that is driven by a conservative Muslim base — into the post-pandemic world.
Anwar Ibrahim, 75 years old, was made prime minister by King Abdullah on Thursday. It was the culmination of a Amazing comeback by Mr. Anwar, whose entire career included a Two terms in jail for political motivation, and then the stint as deputy prime minster. of Long-standing leader of the opposition
The appointment was completed. a Malaysia has been in a crisis since almost the beginning a week: Saturday’s national elections, the first since 2018, led to the first hung Parliament in Malaysia’s history. None of The simple majority required to form the government in Parliament’s 222-seat parliament was won by the three main parties contesting the election.
It was not immediately clear who Mr. Anwar’s multiethnic coalition, Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) was the one who formed a government.
The group had led Saturday’s election with 82 seats. Perikatan Nasional, the National Alliance came in second. This was largely due to its success. of One coalition member is the Malaysian Islamic Party a Conservative party that calls for theocratic Islamic government in Malaysia. PAS, as it is commonly known, won 49 seats.
Barisan Nasional, the incumbent coalition that includes Mr. Anwar’s former party, the United Malays National Organization, was far behind, with 30. The election was viewed as a Last rebuke to UMNO which has been implicated in corruption claims for a long time. Mr. Anwar had actively campaigned on the public’s desire for change from a UMNO government promises that he “will not bring with him the corrupt and greedy cultures which we had before.”
Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah was ultimately able to make the final decision. Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy, and the king is entitled to nominate the prime minister for the event of A non-conclusive election.
The coalitions held closed-door negotiations with the king for five days. The king met Thursday with the rulers of The Malay states resolved the crisis and the palace was issued a statement.
“The fact is, the people cannot be burdened by the political turmoil that has no end to it when the country needs a stable government that is able to flourish the economic landscape and development of the country,” The palace stated.
On Thursday, at 5 p.m. Mr. Anwar is sworn in.
Liani MK Contributed reporting
