Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today explained in his speech the resignation of the 7th Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Al-Sultan Abdullah said he had asked Dr Mahathir not to resign but the latter stuck to his decision.

“On February 24, 2020, the narrative of the country's political landscape was once again shaken by the resignation of the 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia.

“At about 5.00 pm the same day, I have been pleased to welcome Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“At the meeting, I had asked Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad not to resign. But he went ahead with his decision,” he said at the opening of the First Meeting, Third Term of the 14th Parliament at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Therefore, Al-Sultan Abdullah explained that he was responsible for appointing a new Prime Minister as stipulated in Article 43 of the Federal Constitution.

“Article 43 gives me the discretion to appoint a member of the Dewan Rakyat who at my opinion holds the confidence of the majority of the House members.

“Therefore, on February 25 and 26, 2020, I held a one-on-one meeting with members of the Dewan Rakyat to evaluate their support.

"On February 29, 2020, I had called on all political parties who have representatives in the Dewan Rakyat to nominate a member of the Dewan Rakyat as their next Prime Minister," he said.

In fact, His Majesty said he was also willing to extend the time period for political parties to submit their nominations so that sufficient time could be given in democratic calculations.

"Of course, every match will have its end. The political turmoil of a country cannot be allowed to prolong and endured without end.

"Therefore, after going through all these processes and in accordance with the Federal Constitution, I found that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had gained the confidence of the majority of the members of the Dewan Rakyat and has thus been appointed the 8th Prime Minister," he said.

In fact, Al-Sultan Abdullah also asserted that His Majesty had shouldered the trust in a transparent and just manner in line with the concept of the constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy which is the backbone of the country's practice.

“At the same time, I also appreciate the maturity and cooperation of all the Honorable members and the people who have played such a prudent and ethical role that enabled me to shoulder this trust.

“To the government under the leadership of Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, I am confident that the efforts of leading the country to continue to climb to higher success will come true,” he added.