Malaysia’s new premier will struggle to forge unity

Significance

He succeeds Muhyiddin Yassin, leader of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (PPBM). Muhyiddin resigned as premier after a handful of UMNO MPs closely aligned with party President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi withdrew from the government parliamentary bloc, a move which made it clear that he no longer had a majority.

Impacts

• The new administration will prioritise the fight against COVID-19 but likely struggle to improve Malaysia’s pandemic response immediately.
• Party infighting in both the government and opposition ranks will continue unabated.
• Royal political power will grow.