Malaysia's political leaders were scrambling to form a coalition government on Sunday after an election produced an unprecedented hung parliament, with no group able to claim a majority.
The logo of Malaysia's election commission is pictured at its headquarters in Putrajaya, Malaysia, October 20, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor HussainKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 - Malaysia's political leaders were scrambling to form a coalition government on Sunday after an election produced an unprecedentedLongtime opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin each said they could form a government with support from other parties, whom they did not identify.
It made inroads in strongholds of Barisan, whose United Malays National Organisation - long Malaysia's dominant political force - made its worst showing ever.Analysts say the most likely government will again be a coalition of Muhyiddin's bloc, Barisan and another group. But a minority government is possible if neither Anwar nor Muhyiddin can cobble together a majority.
Muhyiddin and Ismail's coalition prioritise interests of the ethnic-Malay majority, while Anwar's is multicultural. Race and religion are divisive issues in Malaysia, where the mostly Muslim Malays comprise the majority, with minorities of ethnic Chinese and Indians.The monarch has a largely ceremonial role, but the constitution empowers him to appoint as prime minister a lawmaker who he thinks can command a majority in parliament.
Muhyiddin said on Sunday he had received instructions from the palace on forming a government but did not disclose what they were. Anwar said he would submit a letter to the king detailing his support.Political instability is expected to continue for Malaysia, which has seen three prime ministers in as many years due to power struggles.
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