Malaysia election 2018: Shock victor Mahathir Mohamad calls for urgency and action TODAY
MAHATHIR Mohamad will not be sworn in as Prime Minister of Malaysia today following his shock election victory, according to a palace spokesman, but the new PM has called for urgency and for a government to be formed today.
Malaysians sing national anthem after Najib Razak loses election
Mr Mahathir stunned the nation after winning a majority in the vote yesterday.
The 92-year-old has said he expects to be sworn in today and that the country desperately needs a government.
"There has been some delays over a lack of understanding of the constitution, but we'd like to make it clear that there is an urgency here: We need to form the government now — today," Mahathir said.
"That is because currently there is no government of Malaysia."
Mr Mahathir had been scheduled to hold a news conference following his victory, however the world was kept waiting for him to speak for the first time since winning in dramatic fashion.
The 92-year-old had previously said he would be sworn in on Thursday
The speech was delayed by almost three hours.
Malaysia went to the polls yesterday and saw Najib Razak’s long-ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) party lose vital seats in key states that have traditionally been strongholds.
Mr Mahathir locked down a majority of 112 seats that were needed to secure a stunning victory.
Mr Najib had suffered from a loss of support after a series of scandals unfolded in recent years.
In a statement after the vote, Mr Razak said: "I accept, and my friends also accept, the verdict that has been delivered by the people," he said, according to a translation of the address, noting that his coalition was committed to respecting the principles of democratic parliament.
"And because no party has gotten a simple majority, therefore the king will be making a decision as to who will be the prime minister," he added.
The new Malaysian PM will become the world's oldest elected leader.
The nation’s longest-serving Prime Minister came out of retirement after being angered by the scandals and joined the opposition in a bid to bring change.
The 92-year-old had previously served as the Prime Minister of the nation for 22 years until 2003.
After causing a dramatic upset, a member of Mr Mahathir’s party announced the victory.
Protestors RIOT in Malaysia as election results come in
Mr Mahathir locked down a majority of 112 seats that were needed to secure a stunning victory
Mr Mahathir stunned the nation after winning a simple majority needed to form a new government
They said: "We believe that from our official counting that they're left far behind.
"The likelihood is that they will not be forming the government."
After declaring victory, the 92-year-old exclaimed: "We are not seeking revenge, we want to restore the rule of law.”
Mr Mahathir was born in the city of Alor Setar in 1956.