Istana Negara: Muhyiddin to serve as caretaker PM until successor appointed

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — Istana Negara confirmed today that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has resigned as prime minister together with his Cabinet, in an earlier royal audience.

In a statement, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah also said that Muhyiddin will now serve as caretaker prime minister until his successor, who commands the majority of Dewan Rakyat, is appointed from among the MPs.

“During the prime minister’s audience session which took place for 30 minutes beginning 12.30pm, His Majesty consented to accept the resignation letter of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister, and the positions of the entire Cabinet, immediately, effective today.

“Owing to this resignation, His Majesty consented to have Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin carry out his duties as the caretaker prime minister, until a new prime minister is appointed,” the statement issued on behalf of the King, by Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, read.

Ahmad Fadil said that the decision is in line with Article 40(2)(a) and Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution which requires the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appoint an MP, whom he feels may command the majority support from MPs to become the new prime minister, to chair the Cabinet.

Ahmad Fadil said that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong also expressed his appreciation to Muhyiddin and the Cabinet for their services and governance under Perikatan Nasional (PN), beginning March 2020, especially in the efforts to combat Covid-19.

He said that the King had also had an audience with the Chief Secretary to the government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun and the Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh, at 11am.