Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has met the king in a bid to prove he has a "convincing" parliamentary majority to form a new government and he called on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to resign.
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The palace on Tuesday said Anwar only provided the number of members of parliament backing his bid to become prime minister and not their identities and urged him to respect the constitutional process.
It is now up to King Al-Sultan Abdullah to decide the next steps in Malaysia's power struggle, which comes as it grapples with an economy battered by COVID-19 and a new surge in infections.
"I appeal to Malaysians... to allow the king to digest, decide based on the spirit of the constitution, and the discretion of his highness," Anwar told reporters.
"We must also remember that Muhyiddin has lost his majority and it would be appropriate for him to resign."
Muhyiddin declined to comment on Anwar's meeting at the palace.
"I leave it to the best judgement of the king," he told reporters.
Should Anwar succeed in securing the post, it would be the culmination of a 22-year long quest, which included nearly 10 years in jail on sodomy charges he denied. It would also mean Malaysia would have its third prime minister this year.
The king plays a largely ceremonial role but he can appoint a prime minister who in his view is likely to command a majority. New governments are usually elected in Malaysia but the king plays a role in certain instances.
Anwar said he had the support of more than 120 MPs in the 222-strong parliament, disclosing his numbers for the first time since he announced last month that he had secured a majority to form a government.
Anwar said he was looking to form an inclusive government and had also extended an olive branch to Muhyiddin and was willing to discuss "whatever is deemed necessary".
The king appointed Muhyiddin prime minister in February after the unexpected resignation of veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad.
There is scepticism over Anwar's bid for the top job as no major party has offered a clear declaration of support.
Muhyiddin, whose seven-month-old administration has survived on a razor-thin parliamentary majority, had earlier dismissed Anwar's claims as a "mere allegation" and told him to prove his majority through a constitutional process.
Leaders in Muhyiddin's ruling coalition on Monday declared full support for him.
Australian Associated Press
