Malaysia leader in limbo as key party, minister pull support

The biggest party in Malaysia’s ruling alliance says embattled Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has lost the right to govern because a number of its lawmakers have withdrawn their support

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- The biggest party in Malaysia's ruling alliance declared Tuesday that embattled Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has lost the right to govern because a number of its lawmakers have signed declarations withdrawing their support. The announcement by the United Malays National Organization was followed by the resignation of Energy and Natural Resources Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, who is from the party. Muhyiddin took power in March 2020 after initiating the collapse of the former reformist government that won 2018 elections. His party joined hands with UMNO and several others to form a new government but with a razor-thin majority. UMNO, which has 38 lawmakers, earlier said it would pull its support for Muhyiddin, but some party lawmakers still back the prime minister.