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New govt mid-term?

Feb 24, 2020

Malaysia could have a new government soon.

This, after top officials from Bersatu, PAS, UMNO and the pro-Azmin faction of PKR were granted an audience with the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong yesterday.

It has led to speculation that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is looking to form a new government and Cabinet with these parties, sidelining PM-in-waiting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Constitutional lawyer Surendra Ananth told us this is completely legal, provided the PM still has the majority of support in the Dewan Rakyat:

"The YDPA would appoint the individual, who has the majority of support in Parliament once he appoints that individual as the PM, the PM then picks the other Ministers to form the Cabinet, now these Ministers hold office at the pleasure of the YDPA who acts on the advice of the PM. So if the PM wants to rid or get rid of the Ministers, then he can do so at any point in time because ultimately it is his choice." 

Datuk Seri Anwar was not involved in yesterday's spate of meetings, although he did meet with the other Pakatan Harapan component parties DAP and Amanah late last night to discuss the latest developments. 

He confirmed there are attempts to shake up the PH government:

"We are shocked by the latest developments, which we see as a betrayal because there were promises made. But it looks like there's going to be imminent change."

Anwar is also expected to have an audience with the King later this afternoon, although sources say this meeting had been planned far in advance.

Written by Roshini Ravindran