Following the resignation, the King is pleased for Muhyiddin to fill the role as caretaker prime minister until a new prime minister is appointed, it noted.
The King also said it is not suitable to hold elections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, in a nationally televised speech, Mr. Muhyiddin said he submitted his resignation to the King because he had lost the confidence of a majority of lawmakers, adding that he hoped a new government would be formed as soon as possible.
The resignation could end months of political turmoil facing the Southeast Asian nation as the country is battling the COVID-19 resurgence and revive the pandemic-stricken economy.