On Friday, Malaysia’s king appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob as prime minister, replacing Muhyiddin Yassin, who resigned this week after losing his parliamentary majority.
Ismail Sabri, Muhyiddin’s deputy, takes office as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with a surge in COVID-19 infections. An economic recession amid growing public anger over handling the health crisis…
He won majority support, backed by 114 of the 222 members, the palace said in a statement.
His appointment returns the role of prime minister to the United Malaysia National Organization (UMNO), Malaysia’s “big party,” which was rejected in the 2018 general election amid widespread accusations of corruption.
The king has said that the new prime minister will have to face a vote of confidence in parliament to prove his majority shortly after his appointment.
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