Mahathir resigns in tactical move to thwart Anwar's succession

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has resigned, sources told The Straits Times on Monday (Feb 24), but the shock move is likely to be followed by declarations of support for him to continue in power until the end of the current parliamentary term.

The Prime Minister's Office has confirmed in a statement that the resignation letter was sent to Malaysia's King at 1pm.

Speculation that Tun Dr Mahathir tendered his resignation gained steam on Monday afternoon, a development which several Pakatan Harapan (PH) officials confirmed.

But the move is likely to have been tactical, with a view to undo the PH transition agreement under which Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was supposed to replace the 94-year-old incumbent before the next election due in 2023.

"Nope, the Agong will reject the resignation saying Mahathir has the support from the majority of Parliament," a source said, referring to Malaysia's King.

However, there is no certainty that the King, who is meeting Mr Anwar at 2.30pm, will agree to this.

Another PH source said that the Palace was already presented with the necessary declarations on Sunday night, but the delay may have been due to unresolved negotiations over government positions between those forming a new coalition tentatively called the National Alliance that is supposed to include opposition parties such as Umno and Parti Islam SeMalaysia.

Meanwhile, another 11 MPs from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), which has 50 lawmakers in Parliament, announced on Monday that they were leaving the party and PH to form an independent bloc.