Malaysia’s Muhyiddin to stay on as caretaker PM

PBC News: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will stay on as Malaysia’s prime minister in a caretaker capacity, the National Palace said in a statement, after the King accepted the leader’s resignation on Monday (Aug 16) following an audience at the Palace.

Mr Muhyiddin will perform the prime minister’s duties until his successor is appointed.

In the statement, Malaysia’s King, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, also added that holding general elections in the near future “is not the best option” due to the welfare and security of the people.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said that he will act as the caretaker prime minister as consented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysian national news agency Bernama reports.

“It is an honourable task and I will carry out the duties of caretaker PM to help the country,” he said at the meeting with senior media editors at the Prime Minister’s Office here.

Muhyiddin who, at noon today, tendered his resignation to the King, said he would shoulder the responsibility and hoped that the appointment of his successor will be done as soon as possible.

Elaborating, he said when His Majesty asked him to act as caretaker prime minister, he immediately referred to the Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun regarding the job scopes.

“I have sought the opinion of the Attorney General and he said that I could exercise the executive functions and advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong until a new prime minister is appointed,” he said.

When asked whether his former Cabinet would be retained as caretaker Cabinet, Muhyiddin said as far as he’s concerned, he would be the one running the show.

“It’s a one-man show,” he said jokingly.

On the responsibilities and power as caretaker prime minister, Muhyiddin said there would definitely be a limit compared to the power he had before.

“For instance, now I cannot sign a RM1 billion cheque. I have to refer and follow the advice of the Attorney General,” he added.