Mahathir, the world’s oldest head of government, resigned on Monday but was immediately named by the king as interim prime minister. In his first address since then, Mahathir apologised for the turmoil but said he was ready to return as prime minister full time if he had support. Those in the meetings said they were asked to name their favoured prime minister or whether they wanted fresh elections. The volatile relationship between Anwar and Mahathir helped prompt the latest crisis after Mahathir resisted pressure to set a date for a promised transfer of power to Anwar made ahead of the 2018 election. A unity government cutting across party lines could give Mahathir greater authority than during a spell as prime minister from 1981 until his retirement in 2003.

Source: bd News24 February 26, 2020 10:07 UTC