Voters line up to cast their ballots during the general election in Bera, Pahang state, Malaysia, November 19, 2022.
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Malaysia’s longest-ruling political coalition, Barisan Nasional, has decided not to back either the leading Pakatan Harapan or Perikatan Nasional when the monarch decides who will form a government.
The coalition, which won a dismal 30 seats in Saturday’s general election, has also decided to continue in opposition. It was one of the coalition’s worst election results in 60 years in power, after failing to be re-elected in 2018 amid members Barisan and former Prime Minister Najib Razak implicated in the 1MDB scandal.
Incumbent Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the coalition’s decision at 2pm Malaysian time when both Pakatan and Perikatan were on their way to meet the king.
Separately, local media reported that the Warisan Party vowed to support Pakatan and Barisan as the bloc that won the most. This happened when Barisan said that they would not cooperate with Pakatan.
Malaysia is facing a hung parliament as Pakatan, led by former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has the most seats in the parliament with 82. A coalition would need 112 of the 222 seats to form a government.
The King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong will now consider the election results and agreements reached by Pakatan and Perikatan to decide the government and prime minister.
The king spoke briefly to the public after arriving at Istana Negara. Speaking to reporters in Istana, he urged Malaysians to be patient and respect the voter’s decision.
