AP

Malaysia’s nationalist block closer to forming government

Nov 19, 2022, 7:51 AM | Updated: Nov 20, 2022, 6:18 am

A man casts his ballot during the election at a polling station in Seberang Perai, Penang state, Ma...

A man casts his ballot during the election at a polling station in Seberang Perai, Penang state, Malaysia, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. The two biggest winners of Malaysia's general elections are competing to hammer out alliances to form a government after the polls failed to produce a clear winner. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)


              Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition flag is displayed in Petaling Jaya in Selangor state, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's reformist alliance topped the race with 82 seats, but fell far short of a majority. Both camps have said they can gain a majority. But the decision is up to the king. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
            
              Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance) President Muhyiddin Yassin deliver his speech after the announcement of the results of the 15th General Election in Subang, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Malaysia tumbled into fresh political turmoil Sunday after a tightly contested general election delivered a hung Parliament with no clear winner and a surprising surge of support for an Islamist party. (AP Photo)
            
              Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance ) President Muhyiddin Yassin smiles after the announcement of the results of the 15th General Election in Subang, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Malaysia tumbled into fresh political turmoil Sunday after a tightly contested general election delivered a hung Parliament with no clear winner and a surprising surge of support for an Islamist party. (AP Photo)
            
              Motorcycles passing by campaign flags of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, or Barisan Nasional (blue) and Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition (red) displayed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The two biggest winners of Malaysia's general elections are competing to hammer out alliances to form a government after the polls failed to produce a clear winner. (AP Photo/Ahmad Yusni)
            
              Motorcycles passing by campaign flags of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, or Barisan Nasional (blue) and Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition (red) displayed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The two biggest winners of Malaysia's general elections are competing to hammer out alliances to form a government after the polls failed to produce a clear winner. (AP Photo/Ahmad Yusni)
            
              A man stand in front picture of UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Zahid, who is fighting dozens of graft charges, faces pressure to resign after UMNO's second drubbing at the polls. (AP Photo/Ahmad Yusni)
            
              A man casts his ballot during the election at a polling station in Seberang Perai, Penang state, Malaysia, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. The two biggest winners of Malaysia's general elections are competing to hammer out alliances to form a government after the polls failed to produce a clear winner. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
            
              Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition flag is displayed in Petaling Jaya in Selangor state, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's reformist alliance topped the race with 82 seats, but fell far short of a majority. Both camps have said they can gain a majority. But the decision is up to the king. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
            
              Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance) President Muhyiddin Yassin deliver his speech after the announcement of the results of the 15th General Election in Subang, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Malaysia tumbled into fresh political turmoil Sunday after a tightly contested general election delivered a hung Parliament with no clear winner and a surprising surge of support for an Islamist party. (AP Photo)
            
              Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance ) President Muhyiddin Yassin smiles after the announcement of the results of the 15th General Election in Subang, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Malaysia tumbled into fresh political turmoil Sunday after a tightly contested general election delivered a hung Parliament with no clear winner and a surprising surge of support for an Islamist party. (AP Photo)
            
              Motorcycles passing by campaign flags of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, or Barisan Nasional (blue) and Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition (red) displayed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The two biggest winners of Malaysia's general elections are competing to hammer out alliances to form a government after the polls failed to produce a clear winner. (AP Photo/Ahmad Yusni)
            
              Motorcycles passing by campaign flags of Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition, or Barisan Nasional (blue) and Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition (red) displayed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The two biggest winners of Malaysia's general elections are competing to hammer out alliances to form a government after the polls failed to produce a clear winner. (AP Photo/Ahmad Yusni)
            
              A man stand in front picture of UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Zahid, who is fighting dozens of graft charges, faces pressure to resign after UMNO's second drubbing at the polls. (AP Photo/Ahmad Yusni)
            
              Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance) President Muhyiddin Yassin deliver his speech after the announcement of the results of the 15th General Election in Subang, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Malaysia tumbled into fresh political turmoil Sunday after a tightly contested general election delivered a hung Parliament with no clear winner and a surprising surge of support for an Islamist party. (AP Photo)
            
              Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance ) President Muhyiddin Yassin smiles after the announcement of the results of the 15th General Election in Subang, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Malaysia tumbled into fresh political turmoil Sunday after a tightly contested general election delivered a hung Parliament with no clear winner and a surprising surge of support for an Islamist party. (AP Photo)
            
              Former Malaysian Prime Minister and Gerakan Tanah Air (Homeland Party) chairman Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks to the media after voting for the general election in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Malaysians have begun casting ballots in a tightly contested national election that will determine whether the country’s longest-ruling coalition can make a comeback after its electoral defeat four years ago. (AP Photo/JohnShen Lee)
            
              Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim answers journalists' questions after casting his vote at a polling station in Seberang Perai, Penang state, Malaysia, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Malaysians began casting ballots Saturday in a tightly contested national election that will determine whether the country's longest-ruling coalition can make a comeback after its electoral defeat four years ago. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
            
              Malaysian caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob waits in a line with other voters to cast his ballot at a polling station during the general election in Bera, Pahang, Malaysia, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Malaysians began casting ballots Saturday in a tightly contested national election that will determine whether the country's longest-ruling coalition can make a comeback after its electoral defeat four years ago.(AP Photo/Ahmad Yusni)
            
              Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, center, speaks during a press conference in Subang, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Malaysia’s graft-tainted coalition that had ruled the country for decades is losing ground to rival Malay blocs but could still return to power depending on post-election alliances. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
            
              Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim speaks during a press conference in Subang, Malaysia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. Malaysia’s graft-tainted coalition that had ruled the country for decades is losing ground to rival Malay blocs but could still return to power depending on post-election alliances. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s next government appeared to be leaning to the religious right as a coalition of Malay nationalists won support of an influential bloc on Sunday after tightly fought general elections failed to produce a clear winner. The nation’s king still has to approve any deal.

The unprecedented hung parliament after Saturday’s divisive polls saw the rise of the the Malay-centric Perikatan Nasional, or National Alliance, led by former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. It stunned many Malaysians who had hoped for stability and unity after political turmoil that has seen three prime ministers since 2018 polls.

Muhyiddin’s alliance was an underdog that enjoyed an unexpected surge of votes with 73 out of 222 parliamentary seats. Its hard-line ally is the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, the biggest winner with a haul of 49 seats — more than double what it won in 2018. Known as PAS, it touts Sharia, rules three states and is now the single largest party. Its rise has stoked fears of greater Islamization in the country.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s reformist multiethnic alliance topped the race with 82 federal seats, but fell far short of the 112 needed for a majority.

In negotiations Sunday, Muhyiddin’s coalition edged closer to a victory after securing the backing of a political bloc in Sarawak, a state on Borneo island, that won 22 seats. He still needs a nod from another key player, the long-ruling United Malays National Organization, to muster a majority.

The arrangement, if confirmed by the king, means that Muhyiddin will return as prime minister.

UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he hasn’t held any talks with Muhyiddin on the formation of a government. He said candidates from his National Front alliance have signed a pledge to give him the mandate to decide on any political cooperation.

Zahid, who has come under pressure to resign after UMNO’s second drubbing at the polls, warned that any members who violated party rules will be sacked and will have to vacate their parliamentary seat under a new law that bans switching of parties.

His statement came amid a split in the once-powerful alliance that had ruled Malaysia since independence from Britain until corruption scandals brought it down in 2018 . It won only 3 0 seats in its worst-ever performance as many Malays opted for Muhyiddin’s bloc, which has touted itself as a “caring, clean and stable” alternative.

Anwar reiterated Sunday that he had sufficient support from lawmakers for a simple majority but refused to divulge details until King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah gives his approval. The king’s role is largely ceremonial in Malaysia, but he appoints the person he believes has majority support in Parliament as prime minister.

“With the level of support, I am confident I will be given the chance to lead this country,” he said.

The palace said in a statement that Sultan Abdullah asked political chiefs to submit their choice for prime minister and for the alliance that will be formed for a parliamentary majority by Monday. The monarch said his decision will be final as he urged Malaysians to accept the outcome to ensure a stable government.

“This election had reinforced identity politics. Given that no party has outright majority, the newly formed coalition government will need to unite the nation,” said Amir Fareed Rahim, director of strategy at public affairs at political risk consultancy KRA Group.

Many rural Malays, who form two-thirds of Malaysia’s 33 million people — which includes large minorities of ethnic Chinese and Indians — fear they may lose their rights with greater pluralism under Anwar’s alliance. This, together with corruption in UMNO, has benefited Muhyiddin’s bloc.

Among other key election losers was two-time former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who at 97 is leading a separate Malay movement. He suffered a shocking defeat to the National Alliance.

Muhyiddin took power in March 2020, defecting from Anwar’s alliance and joining hands with the UMNO-led coalition in a move that triggered the government’s collapse. The partnership was beset by infighting and he resigned after 17 months.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

2 days ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

2 days ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

2 days ago

islamic state attack...

Vanessa Gera, The Associated Press

What we know after the Islamic State group claims responsibility for Moscow massacre

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed at least 133 people.

5 days ago

Moscow shooting...

The Associated Press

Russia: 60 dead, 145 injured in concert hall raid; Islamic State group claims responsibility

Assailants burst into a concert hall in Moscow on Friday and sprayed the crowd with gunfire, killing over 60 people, injuring more than 100.

7 days ago

Photo: Britain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge visits 282 (East Ham) Squadron, RAF Air Cadets, Cornwel...

Associated Press

Kate Middleton announces she has cancer, is undergoing chemotherapy

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, says she is undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer. She has been out of view since Christmas.

7 days ago

Malaysia’s nationalist block closer to forming government