2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis

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| image2 = Mahathir 2019 (cropped).jpg

| caption2 = Mahathir Mohamad, the 4th and 7th Prime Minister

| image3 = Anwar_Ibrahim_(cropped_1).jpg

| caption3 = Anwar Ibrahim, the president of PKR and the 10th Prime Minister

| image4 = Azmin Ali 2022.jpg

| caption4 = Azmin Ali, former deputy president of PKR

| image5 = Muhyiddin Yassin (51087589446) (cropped).jpg

| caption5 = Muhyiddin Yassin, the 8th Prime Minister

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| caption6 = Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the 9th Prime Minister

| image7 = Sultan_Abdullah_and_Tunku_Azizah_(cropped).jpg

| caption7 = Sultan Abdullah, 16th King of Malaysia

| image8 = Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.png

| caption8 = Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the President of UMNO

| image9 = Ismail Sabri Fumio Kishida 2022 (cropped).jpg

| caption9 = Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the 9th Prime Minister

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Pakatan Harapan (PH) is a coalition of four political parties: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Parti Pribumi BERSATU Malaysia (BERSATU), Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH) and Democratic Action Party (DAP).{{cite web |last=Suhaimi |first=Kay |date=4 May 2015 |title=Sejarah Penubuhan Parti KeADILan Rakyat dan Pakatan Harapan |trans-title= |url=https://iluminasi.com/bm/sejarah-penubuhan-parti-keadilan-rakyat-dan-pakatan-harapan.html |access-date=12 July 2022 |website=Iluminasi |language=ms}} It was established in 2015 and won the 2018 general election, defeating the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition government. BN had been in power at the federal level for almost 60 years, marking the first transfer of power to a different political coalition since Malaysia gained independence.{{cite news |author=Goh |first=Melissa |date=22 September 2015 |title=Malaysia's opposition band together under new Pakatan Harapan alliance |work=Channel NewsAsia |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-s-opposition-band-together-under-new-pakatan-harapan-al-8240190 |access-date=3 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804053556/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-s-opposition-band-together-under-new-pakatan-harapan-al-8240190 |archive-date=4 August 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/05/malaysia-opposition-pulls-shocking-election-win-180509184811723.html|title=Malaysia's opposition pulls off shocking election win|date=10 May 2018|work=Al Jazeera|access-date=11 August 2018}} Mahathir Mohamad, then chairman of BERSATU and leader of Pakatan Harapan, was elected as the seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia, making him the world's oldest prime minister at age 92.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44063675|title=Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad sworn in after shock comeback victory |work=BBC News|date=10 May 2018|access-date=12 June 2018}} Mahathir had previously served as Malaysia's fourth prime minister from 1981 to 2003 under the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of BN.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/1445602/Mahathir-bows-out-with-parting-shot-at-the-Jews.html|title=Mahathir bows out with parting shot at the Jews|last=Spillius|first=Alex|date=31 October 2003|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|access-date=5 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104212437/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/1445602/Mahathir-bows-out-with-parting-shot-at-the-Jews.html|archive-date=4 November 2011|url-status=live}} He left UMNO in 2016 and founded BERSATU to oppose the sixth prime minister, Najib Razak, following the 1MDB scandal.{{cite news |last=Au |first=Eunice |date=1 March 2016 |title=Mahathir quits Umno, calling it 'Najib's party' |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathir-quits-umno-calling-it-najibs-party |access-date=2 March 2020}}

In the 2018 election, Mahathir reconciled with his former political rival Anwar Ibrahim, leader of PKR. Anwar had served as Mahathir's deputy prime minister from 1993 to 1998 before he was dismissed and imprisoned under corruption charges. Anwar was later imprisoned again in 2014 under sodomy charges but was granted a royal pardon in 2018 by the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Muhammad V of Kelantan.{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/node/547870/amp |title=Kronologi hubungan Mahathir - Anwar |work=Harian Metro |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |language=ms |trans-title=Mahathir - Anwar relationship chronology}} Mahathir had promised to transfer the position of prime minister to Anwar after two years, but the handover did not occur as initially planned.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/jailed-malaysian-leader-anwar-ibrahim-walks-free-after-royal-pardon|title=Anwar walks free after royal pardon, meets Dr Mahathir|date=16 May 2018|work=The Edge|access-date=11 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811133856/http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/jailed-malaysian-leader-anwar-ibrahim-walks-free-after-royal-pardon|archive-date=11 August 2018}}

Azmin Ali, the deputy president of PKR, had previously served as Anwar's private secretary from 1993 to 1998.{{cite news |date=23 September 2014 |title=From critic to Selangor MB, Azmin Ali's climb to the top |work=Malay Mail |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2014/09/23/from-critic-to-selangor-mb-azmin-alis-climb-to-the-top/750679 |access-date=24 September 2014}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/face-face-azmin-ali-why-i-am-anwar-loyalist |title=#Face to face with Azmin Ali* Why I am an Anwar loyalist |work=The Edge Markets |access-date=29 February 2020 |date=10 March 2014}} He joined PKR after leaving Mahathir's UMNO in the late 1990s. Azmin was appointed by the Sultan of Selangor, Sharafuddin of Selangor, as Menteri Besar of Selangor, following a political manoeuvre known as the Kajang Move in 2014.{{Cite web |date=2014-09-22 |title=Azmin to be appointed Selangor MB |url=https://www.malaymail.com/article/74989 |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Malay Mail |language=en}} After the 2018 general election, he joined Mahathir's cabinet as the Minister of Economic Affairs.{{cite news|title=PM umum senarai menteri Kabinet|url=http://www.sinarharian.com.my/nasional/pm-umum-senarai-menteri-kabinet-1.836135|access-date=21 May 2018|work=Sinar Harian|date=18 May 2018|language=ms |trans-title=PM announce cabinet's minister list}} Tensions arose between Azmin and Anwar,{{cite news |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3041002/sex-scandal-fist-fight-set-scene-malaysias-ruling-pkr-party-agm |title=Sex scandal, fist fight set scene for Malaysia's ruling PKR party AGM |author=Tashny Sukumaran |date=6 December 2019 |access-date=19 May 2020 |work=South China Morning Post}} which came to the fore during PKR's national congress in December 2019, where remarks about "treachery" were made, which were perceived by some as being aimed at Azmin.{{cite news |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/explained/article/3042113/how-anwar-ibrahim-and-azmin-alis-mentor-protege-relationship |title=How Anwar Ibrahim and Azmin Ali's mentor-protégé relationship turned sour |author=Tashny Sukumaran |date=18 December 2019 |access-date=19 May 2020 |work=South China Morning Post}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2019/12/545717/anwar-denies-policy-speech-aimed-azmin |title=Anwar denies policy speech aimed at Azmin |work=New Straits Times |date=7 December 2019 |access-date=19 May 2020 |author=Ahmad Fairuz Othman}}

Muhyiddin Yassin is the president and a founding member of BERSATU. He was previously the deputy president of UMNO and served as the deputy prime minister from 2009 until 2015 under Najib Razak.{{cite news |url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2009%2F4%2F9%2Fnation%2F20090409114244&sec=nation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410004408/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2009%2F4%2F9%2Fnation%2F20090409114244&sec=nation |title=Najib names 28-member Cabinet (Update-6) |date=9 April 2009 |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=10 April 2009 |work=The Star (Malaysia)}} He was dismissed from his position after criticising Najib over the 1MDB scandal and was later expelled from UMNO in 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-29/malaysia-pm-razak-sacks-deputy-as-corruption-allegations-mount/6655342|title=1MDB scandal: Malaysia PM Najib Razak sacks deputy, attorney-general as corruption allegations mount|date=29 July 2015|work=ABC News (Australia)|access-date=31 July 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/umno-sacks-former/2901884.html|title=UMNO sacks former Malaysian DPM Muhyiddin Yassin and Mukhriz Mahathir|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=24 June 2016|access-date=27 June 2016|archive-date=16 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216165713/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/umno-sacks-former/2901884.html}} After the 2018 election, Muhyiddin was appointed as the Minister of Home Affairs.{{cite news |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2018/05/368692/updated-guan-eng-muhyiddin-and-mat-sabu-now-cabinet-ministers |title=(Updated) Guan Eng, Muhyiddin and Mat Sabu now cabinet ministers |date=12 May 2018 |access-date=20 March 2020 |work=New Straits Times}}

Ismail Sabri Yaakob is a senior politician in UMNO and a member of the BN coalition. After BN's loss in the 2018 general election, he served as Leader of the Opposition.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is the president of UMNO, having assumed the position in 2018. He served as the Deputy Prime Minister from 2015 to 2018 under Najib Razak, following the expulsion of Muhyiddin from UMNO.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysia's constitutional monarch, holds the prerogative to appoint the prime minister based on parliamentary support, under Article 43 of the Malaysian Constitution.{{cite news |url=https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/512209 |title=What is Agong's role in choosing a PM? |work=MalaysiaKini |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020}} The position of Yang di-Pertuan Agong rotates every five years among the nine Malay rulers.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/07/31/new-malaysian-king-crowned-amid-reports-predecessors-divorce/amp/ |title=New Malaysian king crowned amid reports of predecessor's divorce from Russian beauty queen |work=The Telegraph |date=31 July 2019 |access-date=28 February 2020}} The then Yang di-Pertuan Agong was Abdullah of Pahang, who ascended the throne in 2019.

{{Further|COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia|Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics in Malaysia}}

The global COVID-19 pandemic spread to Malaysia in late January 2020. The first major local outbreak occurred at a Tablighi Jamaat religious event in Kuala Lumpur in late February 2020.{{Cite web|date=2020-03-16|title=Malaysia coronavirus cases rise after mosque event as imams around world urge online services|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/coronavirus-malaysia-cases-southeast-asia-mosque-islam-a9403816.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317162759/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/coronavirus-malaysia-cases-southeast-asia-mosque-islam-a9403816.html |archive-date=2020-03-17 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-09|website=The Independent|language=en}}{{Cite news|last=Sipalan|first=A. Ananthalakshmi, Joseph|date=2020-03-17|title=How mass pilgrimage at Malaysian mosque became coronavirus hotspot|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-health-coronavirus-malaysia-mosque-idUKKBN2142V5|access-date=2021-07-09}} As the pandemic emerged as a global crisis by March 2020, including in Malaysia, it has had major economic, social and political impacts.{{Cite web |last=Ratcliffe |first=Rebecca |date=2021-01-12 |title=Malaysia declares Covid state of emergency amid political turmoil |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/12/malaysia-declares-covid-state-of-emergency-amid-political-turmoil |access-date=2021-07-09 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-07-08|title=Key party in Malaysia alliance pulls support for troubled PM|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/key-party-malaysia-alliance-withdraws-support-pm-muhyiddin-2021-07-08/|access-date=2021-07-09|website=Reuters}}

The presidential council of Pakatan Harapan held a late-night meeting to discuss the leadership transition from Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to Anwar Ibrahim, who had been referred to as the "Prime Minister-in-waiting" following Pakatan Harapan's 2018 election victory. During the meeting, Anwar reportedly agreed to allow Mahathir to determine the timing of his resignation, with a potential transition after the APEC Malaysia 2020 summit scheduled for November.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/02/655347/isu-peralihan-kuasa-dimuktamad-dalam-mesyuarat-majlis-presiden-ph-21 |title=Isu peralihan kuasa dimuktamad dalam mesyuarat Majlis Presiden PH 21 Februari ini |date=13 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=Berita Harian |language=ms |trans-title=Power transition issue to be resolved in PH's Presidential Council this 21 February}}{{cite news |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3052002/malaysias-anwar-ibrahim-says-colleagues-trying-bring-down |title=Malaysia's ruling coalition in danger as Anwar Ibrahim says 'former friends and traitors' want to oust government |work=South China Morning Post |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/19/dr-m-insists-he-will-step-down-after-apec-summit |title=Dr M insists he will step down after Apec Summit |date=19 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=The Star (Malaysia)}} Multiple sources indicated that the meeting included discussions that were described as tense, particularly surrounding the timeline of Mahathir's departure.{{cite news |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2020/02/568242/meeting-turns-tense |title=Meeting turns tense |date=23 February 2020 |access-date=4 March 2020 |work=New Straits Times}}{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/rakaman-mesyuarat-majlis-presiden-ph-pada-21-februari-lalu-tular-243351?amp=1 |title=Rakaman mesyuarat Majlis Presiden PH pada 21 Februari lalu tular |work=Astro Awani |date=17 May 2020 |access-date=19 May 2020 |trans-title=Audio recording of PH Presidential Council meeting on 21 February went viral |language=ms}}

In May, an audio recording of the meeting was leaked, in which BERSATU Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali reportedly expressed concerns that Mahathir might be perceived as a "lame-duck prime minister" if a fixed timeline was established. Some members of PKR expressed support for Anwar to assume the role of prime minister within the originally discussed timeframe of two years following the coalition's electoral win on 9 May 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/05/18/how-2-factions-clashed-in-first-45-mins-of-phs-final-meeting/ |title=How 2 factions clashed in first 45 mins of PH's final meeting |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=19 May 2020 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518234155/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/05/18/how-2-factions-clashed-in-first-45-mins-of-phs-final-meeting/ }}

According to a Reuters report, Mahathir had considered forming a unity government involving various political parties, including accepting former members of UMNO into BERSATU and engaging with opposition parties such as PAS. This move was interpreted by some as an effort to expand political support and provide flexibility regarding the leadership transition. Reports suggest that the growing calls for a definitive timeline led to accelerated political developments, culminating in key events on 23 February.{{cite news |last1=Ananthalakshmi |first1=Anantha |last2=Lee |first2=Liz |last3=Das |first3=Krishna N. |date=6 March 2020 |title=Malaysian machinations: How Southeast Asia's veteran leader lost the plot |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-politics-endgame-insight/malaysian-machinations-how-southeast-asias-veteran-leader-lost-the-plot-idUSKBN20T0HZ |access-date=7 March 2020}}

On 23 February 2020, several political parties held extraordinary meetings: BERSATU at its headquarters at Menara Yayasan Selangor in Petaling Jaya, Muafakat Nasional pact of UMNO and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) had a retreat in Janda Baik, Pahang, UMNO's supreme council at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)'s members of the parliament (MPs) in Kuala Lumpur.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/apa-maksud-5-mesyuarat-politik-diadakan-serentak-hari-ini-231458?amp=1 |title=Apa maksud 5 mesyuarat politik diadakan serentak hari ini? |language=ms |trans-title=What is the meaning behind the 5 political meetings being held at the same time today? |date=23 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=Astro Awani }} File:Udeyismail Putra World Trade Centre.jpg building where UMNO's supreme council had held their meeting.]] Azmin Ali, the deputy president of PKR and the Minister of Economic Affairs, also held a meeting with several lawmakers from the party and twenty others at Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya, amidst rumours that the formation of a new governing coalition was being undertaken.{{cite news |url=https://malaysiagazette.com/2020/02/23/azmin-mesyuarat-di-hotel-hamzah-zainuddin-dan-baru-bian-turut-hadir/ |title=Azmin mesyuarat di hotel, Hamzah Zainuddin dan Baru Bian turut hadir |author=Kasthuri Jeevendran |date=23 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020 |language=ms |work=Malaysia Gazette |trans-title=Azmin went to meeting at a hotel, Hamzah Zainuddin and Baru Bian were also present}} The event was widely reported on local media as Langkah Sheraton or the Sheraton Move.{{cite news |url=https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/bahasa/s/222366 |work=Malaysian Insight |title=Selepas Langkah Sheraton, kerajaan di 4 negeri rapuh |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |language=ms |trans-title=After Sheraton Move, government in four states become fragile}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/kolumnis/2020/02/659828/mandat-akhir-milik-rakyat |title=Mandat akhir milik rakyat |language=ms |trans-title=Final mandate belongs to the people |work=Berita Harian |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/512359 |title=Mahathir breaks silence on 'Sheraton Move', and 9 news from yesterday |work=MalaysiaKini |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020}}

Azmin and his faction in PKR went to the Istana Negara in the evening to seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Leaders from five other political parties; BERSATU's Muhyiddin Yassin, also the Minister of Home Affairs, UMNO's Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, PAS's Hadi Awang, GPS's Abang Johari Openg and Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan)'s Shafie Apdal were also in attendance.See update at 7:11pm - Istana Negara {{cite news |url=https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/511939 |title=New coalition: Anwar in emergency meeting, Azmin vows to continue reform agenda |work=Malaysia Kini |date=23 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020}} It was speculated that the leaders were there to brief the Agong about the recent political development; the formation of a new coalition government and to declare their support for a new prime minister, effectively blocking PKR's president Anwar Ibrahim from the position.{{cite news |url=https://says.com/my/news/pas-umno-bersatu-amanah-and-10-pkr-mps-said-to-be-forming-a-new-coalition-govt |title=PAS, UMNO, Bersatu, Amanah And 10 PKR MPs Said To Be Forming A New Coalition Govt |work=SAYS |author=Sadho Ram |date=23 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/24/anwar-ibrahim-decries-traitors-amid-cracks-in-deal-to-make-him-malaysias-next-pm |work=The Guardian |title=Malaysia's PM Mahathir Mohamad resigns amid political turmoil |last=Ratcliffe |first=Rebecca |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020}} After the meeting, several opposition party leaders, including UMNO's Ismail Sabri Yaakob and PAS's Hadi Awang, joined Azmin's supporters at Sheraton Hotel.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/23/azmin-arrives-at-sheraton-hotel-first-sighting-since-rumoured-new-coalition/1840150 |title=Azmin arrives at Sheraton Hotel, first sighting since rumoured new coalition |author=Yiswaree Palansamy |work=Malay Mail |date=23 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020}}

In a Facebook Live broadcast of a night prayer session at Anwar's residence, Anwar said that someone had informed him that a "treachery" was committed involving "former friends from BERSATU and a small group from PKR".{{cite news |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-anwar-mahathir-pakatan-harapan-umno-pas-12462606 |title=Anwar Ibrahim says he has been betrayed by Pakatan Harapan partners amid talk of new ruling coalition |work=Channel Newsasia |date=23 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226160122/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-anwar-mahathir-pakatan-harapan-umno-pas-12462606 |url-status=dead }} Later, Azmin, in a statement, claimed that his action was to protect Mahathir, who was forced to choose a date for the transition of power during Pakatan Harapan presidential meeting on 21 February. The statutory declaration (SD) presented to the Agong was to cement support for Mahathir, not to elect a new prime minister.{{cite news |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/02/25/team-azmin-distributes-sd-to-cement-support-for-dr-m-not-form-new-govt-says-ex-pkr-leader/ |title=Team Azmin distributes SD to cement support for Dr M, not form new govt, says ex-PKR leader |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226154710/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/02/25/team-azmin-distributes-sd-to-cement-support-for-dr-m-not-form-new-govt-says-ex-pkr-leader/ }} He further said that the real traitor was the faction that tried to usurp Mahathir.{{cite news |url=https://www.thesundaily.my/local/move-was-to-protect-mahathir-azmin-ali-KA2046914 |title='Move was to protect Mahathir': Azmin Ali |work=The Sun Daily |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020}}

In the morning of 24 February 2020, Anwar Ibrahim; the deputy prime minister, Wan Azizah Ismail, also Anwar's wife; the president of Amanah, Mat Sabu; and the secretary general of DAP, Lim Guan Eng, met Mahathir at his residence to seek clarification regarding the incident.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/politik/2020/02/658588/pemimpin-ph-jumpa-dr-mahathir |title=Pemimpin PH jumpa Dr Mahathir |language=ms |trans-title=PH leaders meet Dr Mahathir |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=Berita Harian}} Anwar later stated that he was satisfied with the meeting outcome, as Mahathir had clarified that he had nothing to do with the pact to make a new coalition government.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2020-02-23/anwar-says-there-are-attempts-to-form-new-malaysian-government |title=Anwar Hails 'Good Meeting' With Mahathir Amid Malaysia Rumors |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=Bloomberg}}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-politics-anwar/malaysias-mahathir-will-not-ally-with-previous-ruling-coalition-anwar-idUSKCN20I0OZ |title=Malaysia's Mahathir will not ally with previous ruling coalition - Anwar |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=2 March 2020 |work=Reuters}}

PKR held a press conference at 2 pm where its general secretary, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, announced that Azmin and the Minister of Housing and Local Government, Zuraida Kamaruddin, also the vice president of PKR, had been dismissed by the party.{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/azmin-zuraida-sacked-from-pkr/ar-BB10jqFy?li=BBr8Hnu |title=Azmin, Zuraida sacked from PKR |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020 |work=MSN}} Saifuddin explained that they were expelled due to their actions on 23 February which was against the party's principle regarding the position of prime minister.{{cite news |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasia/2020/02/24/azmin-zuraida-sacked-from-party-of-malaysias-anwar-ibrahim.html |title=Azmin, Zuraida sacked from party of Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim |work=The Jakarta Post |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020}} Azmin later announced that he would be forming an independent bloc at the parliament along with Zuraida and other nine MPs. They had decided to exit the party following his expulsion.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/24/azmin-and-zuraida-seen-entering-dr-ms-seri-kembangan-house-after-his-resign/1840391 |title=Azmin and Zuraida seen entering Dr M's Seri Kembangan house after his resignation as PM |work=Malay Mail |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020}}

In the afternoon of 24 February, the prime minister's office confirmed that Mahathir had submitted his resignation to the Agong. Half an hour later, he also announced his resignation from his position as chairman of BERSATU after Muhyiddin declared the party's withdrawal from Pakatan Harapan coalition.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/tun-mahathir-letak-jawatan-perdana-menteri-pengerusi-bersatu-231527?amp=1 |title=Tun Mahathir letak jawatan Perdana Menteri, Pengerusi Bersatu |language=ms |trans-title=Tun Mahathir resigned from Prime Ministership, Bersatu's chairmanship |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=Astro Awani}} The Agong tried to convince Mahathir against resigning, but the latter insisted.{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/node/579844/amp |title=Agong kongsi situasi pelantikan PM kelapan |author=Hayati Ibrahim |work=Harian Metro |trans-title=Agong shared story regarding the situation surrounding the appointment of the 8th PM |language=ms |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=19 May 2020}} The Agong then accepted his resignation and appointed him as the interim prime minister until a new prime minister is chosen.{{cite news |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-king-appoints-mahathir-as-interim-prime-minister-12465780 |title=Malaysian king appoints Mahathir as interim PM after accepting his resignation |work=Channel Newsasia |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913084120/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-king-appoints-mahathir-as-interim-prime-minister-12465780 |url-status=dead }} The Cabinet of Malaysia was dissolved, per Article 43(5) of the Constitution of Malaysia.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/semua-jawatan-menteri-kabinet-timbalan-menteri-dan-setiausaha-politik-dihentikan-231598?amp |title=Semua jawatan menteri Kabinet, timbalan menteri dan setiausaha politik dihentikan |language=ms |trans-title=All cabinet minister, deputy minister and political secretary posts immediately end |work=Astro Awani |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020 }}{{cite wikisource |title=Constitution of Malaysia - Article 43: Cabinet |wslink=Constitution of Malaysia |last= |first= |date= |publisher= |location= |page= |pages= |scan=}} Pakatan Harapan lost its majority in the parliament after BERSATU and Azmin Ali's-led PKR faction of eleven MPs withdrew from the coalition at 2 pm.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/02/658690/ph-hilang-majoriti-jadi-kerajaan-pusat |title=PH hilang majoriti jadi Kerajaan Pusat |language=ms |trans-title=PH lost its majority as federal government |work=Berita Harian |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020}} A representative of the palace then announced that the Agong would interview all 221 MPs, excluding Mahathir, to weigh their support for prime minister candidates.{{cite news |url=https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/agong-personally-interview-each-mp-pm-candidate |title=Agong to personally interview each MP on PM candidate |work=The Edge Markets |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020}} The interview sessions were held on 25 and 26 February, with 90 MPs on the former and 131 MPs on the latter.{{cite news |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2020/02/568897/90-mps-meet-ydp-agong-today |title=90 MPs meet YDP Agong today |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=New Straits Times}}

At 9 pm, BERSATU leaders held an emergency meeting at its headquarters to discuss the party's future direction.{{cite news |url=https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/bersatu-holds-emergency-meeting-after-dr-m-quits-chairman-pm |title=Bersatu holds emergency meeting after Dr M quits as chairman, PM |work=The Edge Markets |date=24 February 2020 |author=Muhammed Ahmad Hamdan |access-date=17 May 2020}} Members of BERSATU rejected Mahathir's resignation as the party's chairman and pledged their support for him to be the prime minister. The party's secretary-general Marzuki Yahya said that the BERSATU's supreme council members were unanimous in their support for Mahathir.{{cite news |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-bersatu-rejects-mahathir-resignation-pakatan-harapan-12466658 |title=Bersatu rejects Mahathir's resignation as party chairman |work=Channel Newsasia |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305232406/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-bersatu-rejects-mahathir-resignation-pakatan-harapan-12466658 |url-status=dead }}

On 25 February, Agong summoned 90 MPs to have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Starting from 2:30 pm, the Agong spent two to three minutes interviewing each MPs.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/25/in-unprecedented-move-agong-to-interview-each-mp-to-determine-who-commands/1840697 |title=In unprecedented move, Agong to interview each MP to determine who commands majority |work=Malay Mail |author=Radzi Razak |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=17 May 2020}} Following the first round of interviews, UMNO and PAS revealed that they have withdrawn their earlier support for Mahathir to remain as prime minister, and had instead called for parliament dissolution.{{cite news |url=https://www.bernama.com/bm/news.php?id=1816482|title=Muafakat Nasional cadang bubar Parlimen, tarik balik SD sokong Dr M |language=ms |trans-title=Muafakat Nasional propose the dissolution of Parliament, retract SDs supporting Dr M |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=Bernama}} It was previously reported that as all political factions voiced their support for Mahathir, he was about to establish a "unity government" that the two parties did not agree with.{{cite news |url=https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/dr-mahathir-proposes-lead-unity-government-%E2%80%94-sources |title=Dr Mahathir proposes to lead 'unity government' — sources |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=The Edge Markets }} {{Dead link|date=March 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news |url=https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/malaysia-still-limbo-agong-continues-214413610.html |title=Malaysia still in limbo as Agong continues search for new PM |work=Yahoo! News |via=Malay Mail |author=Justin Ong |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=17 May 2020}} Annuar Musa, UMNO's secretary-general, said the basis of negotiations with Mahathir was that UMNO and PAS would lend their support to form an alternative coalition without DAP. Therefore, both PAS and UMNO declared their support for a snap election instead.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/512216 |title=Umno and PAS withdraw support for Dr M |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=MalaysiaKini}}

An emergency Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting was held at PKR's headquarters in Petaling Jaya at night.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/25/top-leaders-from-pkr-dap-amanah-arrive-for-special-meeting-at-pkr-hq |title=Top leaders from PKR, DAP, Amanah arrive for special meeting at PKR HQ |author=Tarrence Tan |access-date=17 May 2020 |date=25 February 2020 |work=The Star (Malaysia)}} Pakatan Harapan parties; DAP, PKR and Amanah invited Mahathir to the meeting in order to restore the previous government but Mahathir did not attend the joint meeting.{{cite news |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-mahathir-pakatan-manifesto-lim-guan-eng-12475466 |title=Mahathir refused to commit to Pakatan Harapan manifesto after resignation, says DAP |work=Channel News Asia |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020 |archive-date=13 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913084006/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-mahathir-pakatan-manifesto-lim-guan-eng-12475466 |url-status=dead }}

Later on 3 February 2021, Mahathir claimed that when the Pakatan Harapan MPs made their statutory declaration in front of the Agong, they did not name him as their candidate. Anwar had convinced PH MPs that he had sufficient support from Sabah and Sarawak MPs and PH MPs to have a majority to become prime minister. Mahathir said that "only DAP, Amanah, and his faction of his PKR" supported Anwar. Anwar had 92 supporters while Mahathir had 62. "When Muhyiddin was named Prime Minister he did not have majority support. But upon his appointment he was able to offer places in his cabinet to the members who supported me. They crossed over and Muhyiddin achieved a majority of two", Mahathir wrote on his blog.{{Cite web|title=TOMMY THOMAS ← Chedet|url=http://chedet.cc/?p=3323|access-date=2021-02-03|website=chedet.cc}}

Interim Prime Minister Mahathir addressed the nation at 4.45 pm on the political situation. He began his speech by apologising to Malaysians for the current impasse before confirming speculation that he wanted to form a unity government, saying the new administration would focus on national interests instead of political parties. Mahathir denied allegations of being obsessed with power, and reiterated his refusal to work with UMNO. Mahathir made no mention of Anwar Ibrahim or the agreement to pass the leadership baton to Anwar as agreed during 21 February meeting. Mahathir instead said the decision was up to the Dewan Rakyat.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/512314 |title=Dr M apologises for political imbroglio and reveals plan for new gov't |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=MalaysiaKini}}

Pakatan Harapan announced that they were nominating PKR president Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister following the previous night's meeting, despite publicly declaring support for Mahathir earlier, following Mahathir's televised speech.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/512350 |title=Romance of the three factions: 'Sheraton Move' drives Malaysia into impasse |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=MalaysiaKini}}{{cite news |url=https://www.edgeprop.my/content/1651695/yeo-bee-yin-gives-reasons-phs-support-anwar-pm?wref=edgemarkets |title=Yeo Bee Yin gives the reasons for PH's support for Anwar as PM |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=The Edge Markets}} DAP lawmakers said Pakatan Harapan decided against a non-partisan "Mahathir government" as this would not be beholden to any party or coalition, which would give Mahathir free rein to do as he wanted.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/26/dap-reps-say-pakatan-went-with-anwar-as-mahathir-government-would-give-dr/1841232 |title=DAP reps say Pakatan went with Anwar as 'Mahathir government' would give Dr M carte blanche |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020 |work=Malay Mail}}

In the morning of 27 February, Mahathir once again went to the palace for an audience with the Agong. The contents of this meeting remain unknown, although it was alleged to have been a discussion on the formation of a new cabinet.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/tun-m-tiba-di-istana-negara-untuk-menghadap-agong-231873?amp=1 |title=Tun M tiba di Istana Negara untuk menghadap Agong |language=ms |trans-title=Tun M arrive at the National Palace to have an audience with the Agong |work=Astro Awani |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020}} In the afternoon, the secretary general of BERSATU, Marzuki Yahya, confirmed that Mahathir had withdrawn his resignation as the chairman of BERSATU.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/dr-mahathir-terima-semula-jawatan-pengerusi-bersatu-marzuki-231896?amp=1 |title=Dr Mahathir terima semula jawatan Pengerusi BERSATU - Marzuki |language=ms |trans-title=Dr Mahathir reaccepts position as Bersatu's chairman - Marzuki |work=Astro Awani |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020}} In an unrelated press conference on the evening of 27 February, Mahathir revealed that the Agong "[could not] find anyone with a distinct majority" to be elected as the prime minister and that a special session of parliament would be held on 2 March to address the predicament. If all else failed, he hinted that there would be a snap election.{{cite news |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/02/27/no-clear-majority-wait-for-dewan-vote-says-dr-m/ |title=No clear majority, wait for special Dewan vote, says Dr M |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=Free Malaysia Today |archive-date=27 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227121815/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/02/27/no-clear-majority-wait-for-dewan-vote-says-dr-m/ }}

File:Kuala Lumpur Malaysia-Istana Negara-Jalan-Duta-01.jpg, the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong]]

A special Conference of Rulers meeting was held on the morning of 28 February at the Istana Negara to discuss the current political climate in the country, with all state rulers or their crown princes in attendance.{{cite news |url=http://english.astroawani.com/politics-news/malay-rulers-special-meeting-discuss-countrys-political-turmoil-232009?amp=1 |title=Malay Rulers special meeting to discuss the country's political turmoil |work=Astro Awani |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020}} They were also joined by General Affendi Buang, the Chief of Defence Forces, and Abdul Hamid Bador, the Inspector-General of Police.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/28/malay-rulers-arriving-at-istana-negara-for-special-meeting |title=Malay Rulers at Istana Negara for special meeting (updated) |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020 |work=The Star (Malaysia)}}

Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, the speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, contradicted Mahathir's previous announcement regarding the special sitting of the parliament. Ariff said that he had received a letter from Mahathir stating that the government agreed for a sitting to be called on 2 March but it did not adhere to parliamentary Standing Orders.{{cite news |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2020/02/570017/no-parliament-meeting-monday-request-does-not-follow-house-rules |title='No Parliament meeting on Monday as request does not follow house rules' |work=New Straits Times |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020}} In the evening, the palace released a statement saying that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong would call the leaders of political parties who have members in the parliament for an audience, to allow them to nominate their candidates for the position of prime minister to break the impasse. It also confirmed that the Agong had not found a candidate who had the confidence of the majority of the MPs to form a new government.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/ydp-agong-akan-adakan-pertemuan-dengan-ketua-ketua-pimpinan-parti-politik-istana-negara-232042?amp |title=YDP Agong akan adakan pertemuan dengan ketua-ketua pimpinan parti politik - Istana Negara |language=ms |trans-title=YDP Agong to meet political party leaders - National Palace |work=Astro Awani |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020}}

BERSATU then released a statement announcing their support for the party's president, Muhyiddin Yassin as the 8th Prime Minister, backed by the 26 BERSATU MPs and 10 others led by Azmin.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/bersatu-calonkan-muhyiddin-yassin-sebagai-pm-ke-8-232043?amp |title=Bersatu calonkan Muhyiddin Yassin sebagai PM Ke-8 |language=ms |trans-title=Bersatu nominate Muhyiddin Yassin as the 8th PM |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020 |work=Astro Awani}} Further 60 MPs from UMNO, PAS, Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) also announced their support for Muhyiddin.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/muafakat-nasional-mca-mic-sokong-muhyiddin-sebagai-pm-8-232057?amp |title=Muafakat Nasional, MCA, MIC sokong Muhyiddin sebagai PM-8 |language=ms |trans-title=Muafakat Nasional, MCA, MIC support Muhyiddin as the 8th PM |work=Astro Awani |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020}} All the Muafakat Nasional MPs had also signed the new statutory declarations proposing Muhyiddin to be the next prime minister.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/27/tuan-ibrahim-all-pas-umno-mps-signed-sd-for-muhyiddin-to-be-pm |title=Tuan Ibrahim: All PAS, Umno MPs signed SD for Muhyiddin to be PM|date=27 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020 |work=Bernama}} Muhyiddin Yassin's aide also confirmed that Azmin Ali and 10 other former PKR MPs have officially joined BERSATU.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/28/azmins-gang-now-in-bersatu-presidents-aide-says-yes-but-supreme-council-mem/1841874 |title=Azmin's gang now in Bersatu? President's aide says yes, but supreme council member says 'no clue' |work=Malay Mail |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020}} However, BERSATU Supreme Council member Kadir Jasin claimed he was never invited for a discussion or informed about Muhyiddin's nomination.{{cite news |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/02/28/muhyiddin-didnt-get-partys-blessing-to-be-8th-pm-says-kadir-jasin/ |title=Muhyiddin didn't get party's blessing to be 8th PM, says Kadir Jasin |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=28 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228151539/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/02/28/muhyiddin-didnt-get-partys-blessing-to-be-8th-pm-says-kadir-jasin/ }}

BERSATU Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman declared that he would never work with those involved in corruption to form a government, referring to UMNO. BERSATU's youth wing Armada also posted a statement to say that it would continue to back the party's supreme council's decision in its meeting on 24 February to support Mahathir as prime minister, suggesting a split within BERSATU over Mahathir and Muhyiddin's candidacy.{{cite news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/29/bersatus-syed-saddiq-i-will-never-work-with-the-corrupt-to-form-a-governmen/1842048|title=Bersatu's Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman: I will never work with the corrupt to form a government|date=29 February 2020|access-date=29 February 2020|publisher=Malay Mail}}

In the morning of 29 February, the Pakatan Harapan presidential council held a meeting to discuss the political situation. They then announced their full support for Mahathir as the 8th Prime Minister, thus reversing the coalition's nomination of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim for prime minister.{{cite news|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/02/660494/ph-sokong-tun-m-sebagai-calon-pm|title=PH sokong Tun M sebagai calon PM|trans-title=PH supports Tun M as PM's candidate|date=29 February 2020|access-date=29 February 2020|work=Berita Harian |language=ms}} Following the announcement, Mahathir expressed confidence that he had the majority support to form the government and could be appointed as the prime minister for the third time after receiving assent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.{{cite news|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/02/660496/tun-m-calon-pm-pakatan-harapan|title=Tun M calon PM Pakatan Harapan|trans-title=Tun M PH's PM candidate|date=29 February 2020|access-date=29 February 2020|work=Berita Harian|language=ms}} In the afternoon, Anwar, as a representative of Pakatan Harapan went to Istana Negara to inform the Agong of the nomination changes.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/02/660582/anwar-keluar-istana-negara-selepas-10-minit |title=Anwar keluar Istana Negara selepas 10 minit |work=Berita Harian |date=29 February 2020 |access-date=29 February 2020 |language=ms |trans-title=Anwar left National Palace after 10 minutes}}

Meanwhile, BERSATU's Muhyiddin Yassin and his allies including party leaders from UMNO, PAS, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), and Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR) had an audience with the Agong.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/wakil-pemimpin-parti-tiba-di-istana-negara-pagi-ini-232119?amp |title=Wakil pemimpin parti tiba di Istana Negara pagi ini |language=ms |trans-title=Party leaders' representatives arrived at the National Palace this morning |date=29 February 2020 |access-date=29 February 2020 |work=Astro Awani}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/02/660538/muhyiddin-ketuai-perikatan-nasional-jumpa-agong|title=Muhyiddin ketuai Perikatan Nasional jumpa Agong |language=ms |trans-title=Muhyiddin lead Perikatan Nasional to have audience with the Agong |work=Berita Harian|date=29 February 2020|access-date=29 February 2020}} He also announced that his coalition consisting of BERSATU, UMNO, PAS, PBRS, GPS, and STAR would be called Perikatan Nasional.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/muhyiddin-wakili-perikatan-nasional-gps-star-juga-bersama-232122?amp |title=Muhyiddin wakili Perikatan Nasional: GPS, STAR juga bersama? |language=ms |trans-title=Muhyiddin representing Perikatan Nasional: Are GPS, STAR allies? |work=Astro Awani |date=29 February 2020 |access-date=29 February 2020}} The new coalition claimed that they had majority support in parliament to elect a prime minister and to form a government.{{cite news|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/02/660557/gabungan-perikatan-nasional-dakwa-miliki-blok-terbesar|title=Gabungan 'Perikatan Nasional' dakwa miliki blok terbesar |language=ms |trans-title='Perikatan Nasional' coalition claim having the largest bloc|work=Berita Harian|date=29 February 2020|access-date=29 February 2020}}

Meanwhile, in Sarawak, Chong Chieng Jen who is vice-chairperson of DAP as well as chairman of DAP Sarawak, said they were willing to make concessions and work together with the GPS state government. The main purpose for this was to preserve the PH federal government.{{cite news|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2020/02/29/dap-sarawak-willing-to-set-aside-differences-to-work-with-gps-to-preserve-ph-govt-says-chong/|title=DAP Sarawak willing to set aside differences to work with GPS to preserve PH govt, says Chong|date=29 February 2020|access-date=29 February 2020|work=The Borneo Post}} Chief Minister, Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg snubbed Chong's peace gestures to the state coalition, recalling past remarks by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, that Sarawak would go bankrupt in the next three years.{{cite news|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/02/29/we-are-not-stupid-sarawak-cm-tells-dap-after-peace-offer/|title=We are not stupid, Sarawak CM tells DAP after peace offer|date=29 February 2020|access-date=1 March 2020|author=Larrisa Lumandan|work=Free Malaysia Today|archive-date=1 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301145112/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/02/29/we-are-not-stupid-sarawak-cm-tells-dap-after-peace-offer/}} PKR announced that GPS MP Richard Riot Jaem had defected to join the party.{{cite news|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/512676|title=PKR says Serian MP has defected to its side|date=29 February 2020|access-date=29 February 2020|work=MalaysiaKini}} However, he denied the allegation, stating that he was still a member of the GPS component party, Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), and had merely voiced out his support for Mahathir.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/saya-tidak-pernah-isi-borang-permohonan-apatah-lagi-sertai-pkr-richard-riot-232207 |title='Saya tidak pernah isi borang permohonan, apatah lagi sertai PKR' - Richard Riot |language=ms |trans-title='I have never fill in a registration form, let alone join PKR' - Richard Riot |date=1 March 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020 |work=Astro Awani}}

In the evening, the royal palace released a statement announcing that Muhyiddin, in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's judgment, is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the MPs and was to be appointed as the 8th Prime Minister of Malaysia. The swearing-in ceremony would be held in the morning of 1 March in the Istana Negara.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/02/660637/muhyiddin-dilantik-pm-ke-8-angkat-sumpah-esok |title=Muhyiddin dilantik PM ke-8, angkat sumpah esok |language=ms |trans-title=Muhyiddin appointed as the 8th PM, to be sworn in tomorrow |work=Berita Harian |date=29 February 2020 |access-date=29 February 2020}}

Late that night, Mahathir, in a final attempt to challenge Muhyiddin's appointment, published a list of 115 Members of Parliament whom he claimed was supported him and enclosed the list with a letter to be delivered to the Agong following a Pakatan Harapan meeting. Notable MPs who were in the list are Mahathir, his son Mukhriz Mahathir and 4 other BERSATU MPs, members of Warisan, Jeffrey Kitingan of STAR, Maximus Ongkili of Gabungan BERSATU Sabah (GBS), Baru Bian and Jonathan Yasin who were previously in Azmin's bloc. However, the list was disputable as some MPs had denied backing Mahathir and some were ambiguous about their allegiance.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/512708 |title=Dr M publishes list of 115 MPs, hopes Agong will accept |work=MalaysiaKini |date=29 February 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020}} Shamrahayu Abd Aziz, an academic and an expert on the constitution stated that any statutory declaration signed after the Agong's announcement would not make a difference, and the legal way to challenge Muhyiddin's appointment was through a vote of non-confidence in the Dewan Rakyat.{{cite news |url=https://www.nst.com.my/node/570443/amp |title='New SDs made after Agong's decree do not hold water' |work=New Straits Times |date=29 February 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020}}

{{See also|COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia}}

Minutes before the swearing ceremony of Muhyiddin, Mahathir said in a press conference that the Istana Negara had refused to grant him an audience to prove that Pakatan Harapan commanded the support of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/03/01/dr-m-claims-palace-refuses-to-grant-him-audience-to-prove-majority-support/1842310 |title=Dr M claims palace refuses to grant him audience to prove majority support |date=1 March 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020 |work=Malay Mail}} He expressed disappointment towards Muhyiddin, who he alleged had been working on forming a government without Pakatan Harapan "for a long time". Mahathir also revealed that the confusion over the status of his chairmanship of BERSATU allowed Muhyiddin to appoint himself as the chairman, which he claimed was an illegal move.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/03/01/dr-m-says-feel-betrayed-by-muhyiddin-and-his-extensive-scheming-for-power/1842317 |title=Dr M says feel betrayed by Muhyiddin and his extensive scheming for power |date=1 March 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020 |work=Malay Mail}}

Muhyiddin Yassin was sworn in as the eighth prime minister in front of the Agong at the Istana Negara on the morning of 1 March 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/node/549922/amp |title=Muhyiddin selesai angkat sumpah PM8 |date=1 March 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020 |work=Harian Metro |language=ms |trans-title=Muhyiddin finished taking the 8th PM's oath}}

File:Perdana Putra building 2005.jpg in Putrajaya.]]

On the morning of 2 March, Muhyiddin arrived at the Perdana Putra, to begin his official duties as the prime minister. Muhyiddin held meetings with Chief Secretary Mohd Zuki Ali, General Affendi Buang, the Chief of Defence Forces, and Abdul Hamid Bador, the Inspector-General of Police.{{cite news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/03/02/muhyiddin-clocks-in-as-pm/1842543|title=Muhyiddin clocks in as PM|date=2 March 2020|access-date=2 March 2020|work=Berita Harian}} Later that night, Muhyiddin addressed the nation in his first televised message as the prime minister. In his address, he told the nation that he had no prior intention to become the prime minister and denied being a traitor but due to the political turmoil in the country, he stepped up in order to avoid prolonging the crisis further. He also reassured that he will only choose individuals who are clean, virtuous and of high calibre to be in his cabinet. Before ending his message, he thanked former prime minister Mahathir for his service to the country.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/02/pm-i039m-not-a-traitor-i-only-wanted-to-save-the-country|title=PM: I'm not a traitor, I only wanted to save the country|date=2 March 2020|access-date=2 March 2020|author=Joseph Loh|work=The Star}}

Within weeks of Muhyiddin becoming prime minister, the COVID-19 pandemic emerged as a serious crisis both in the country and globally. A Tablighi Jamaat religious event in Kuala Lumpur that took place during the political crisis had been a superspreading event, where the outbreak rapidly spread across the country. The political instability at the time was thought to have hampered the country's ability to respond. Muhyiddin announced that international borders would close and announced a strict Movement Control Order, putting the country into lockdown from 18 March.{{Cite web|title=Malaysia closes borders, shuts most businesses in lockdown|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/malaysia-bans-mass-gatherings-shuts-businesses-69620354|access-date=2021-08-02|website=ABC News|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-03-16|title=Malaysia in partial lockdown to limit coronavirus spread|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3075456/coronavirus-malaysias-prime-minister-muhyiddin-yassin|access-date=2021-08-02|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}

On 4 March, the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof announced that the Dewan Rakyat sitting which was originally scheduled to start on 9 March would be postponed to 18 May at the direction of Muhyiddin.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/513144 |title=Speaker: March 9 Dewan Rakyat sitting moved to May 18 |work=Malaysiakini |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=4 March 2020}} The action was taken to allow the new prime minister to form his cabinet and for the newly appointed ministers to familiarise themselves with their ministry before the parliament sitting.{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/node/551424/amp |title=Tunda takwim Parlimen untuk bentuk Kabinet |trans-title=Postpone parliament's timetable to form the Cabinet |language=ms |date=5 March 2020 |access-date= 19 July 2020 |work=Harian Metro |via=Bernama}} However, PKR MP Wong Chen criticised Muhyiddin's move in delaying the opening of parliament, saying that it [was] a clear sign of weakness as he [was] unable to form a cabinet in a swift manner.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/513183 |title=Postponing Dewan Rakyat sitting a sign of weakness, PKR MP tells PM |work=Malaysiakini |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=4 March 2020}}

Muhyiddin on 10 March announced a Perikatan Nasional (PN) cabinet that he had picked from a mix of seasoned politicians, technocrats, stalwarts and close allies as ministers. However, this cabinet excluded the deputy prime minister position, which was instead replaced with 4 senior ministers for the first time.{{cite news |url=https://themalaysianreserve.com/2020/03/10/the-perikatan-nasional-cabinet/ |title=The Perikatan Nasional Cabinet |author=Asila Jalil |publisher=The Malaysian Reserve |date=10 March 2020 |access-date=10 March 2020 |archive-date=24 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324082728/https://themalaysianreserve.com/2020/03/10/the-perikatan-nasional-cabinet/ }}

File:TSMY APP 2020.png in Parliament on 18 May 2020, when it reconvened without a vote of confidence to establish his legitimacy.]]

File:Art Harun 2022.jpg was controversially appointed the new speaker of the Dewan Rakyat without a vote in July 2020.]]

In a Facebook Live session on 7 May, Anwar Ibrahim announced that he would be the new Leader of the Opposition for Pakatan Harapan in the new session of Parliament.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/07/anwar-goes-from-pm-in-waiting-to-new-opposition-leader/1863929 |title=Anwar goes from PM-in-waiting to new Opposition leader |work=Malay Mail |date=7 May 2020 |access-date=7 May 2020}}

Speaker Mohamad Ariff announced on 7 May that he had received a letter on 1 May from Warisan leader Shafie Apdal seeking to table a motion of confidence in Dr Mahathir to show that he could command a majority in the Dewan Rakyat. The Speaker replied in a letter to Shafie that it was not in line with Article 43 of the Federal Constitution because it questioned the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appoint the prime minister.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/07/speaker-says-rejected-shafies-motion-of-confidence-for-dr-m-since-unconstit/1863987 |title=Speaker says rejected Shafie's motion of confidence for Dr M, since unconstitutional |work=Malay Mail |date=7 May 2020 |access-date=7 May 2020}} Mahathir sought a motion of no confidence against Muhyiddin as prime minister through a letter addressed to Ariff on 4 May.{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-parliament-speaker-rejects-sabah-chief-minister-shafie-apdals-motion-of |work=The Straits Times |title=Mahathir seeks no-confidence motion against Malaysian PM Muhyiddin in Parliament |date=8 May 2020 |access-date=19 July 2020}} On 8 May, the Speaker accepted Dr Mahathir's motion and it would be debated when Parliament resumed on 18 May.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/08/speaker-accepts-dr-ms-motion-for-no-confidence-vote-against-muhyiddin/1864280 |title=Speaker accepts Dr M's motion for no-confidence vote against Muhyiddin |work=Malay Mail |date=8 May 2020 |access-date=8 May 2020}}

The speaker announced on 13 May that on the directions of the government, the parliament sitting on 18 May would only convene for the opening speech by the Agong initiating the new session, with no meeting after the speech. This meant that Mahathir's no confidence motion would not be debated as initially planned.{{cite news |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-parliament-sitting-may-18-royal-address-speaker-12728122 |title=Malaysia's parliament sitting on May 18 will only feature royal address: Speaker |work=Channel News Asia |date=13 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020 |archive-date=23 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523114738/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-parliament-sitting-may-18-royal-address-speaker-12728122 |url-status=dead }} Secretary to the Dewan Rakyat, Riduan Rahmat who was appointed on 22 February two days before the Sheraton Move, was demoted to Dewan Negara management secretary on 14 May.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/14/dewan-rakyat-secretary-replaced-over-no-confidence-motion-fiasco/1866066 |title=Dewan Rakyat Secretary replaced over 'no-confidence' motion fiasco |work=Malay Mail |date=14 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020}} A source alleged that the secretary had attempted to keep the motion of no-confidence against Muhyiddin by Mahathir and Shafie a secret, leading to his demotion. In response, both Mahathir and Shafie along with Pakatan Harapan leaders condemned the move in a joint statement and accused the Perikatan Nasional government of being afraid to face the opposition in parliament.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/14/opposition-slams-half-day-parliament-session-claims-perikatan-govt-afraid-o/1866137 |title=Opposition slams half-day Parliament session, claims Perikatan govt afraid of meeting them |work=Malay Mail |date=14 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020}}

The Agong addressed the political crisis by recounting that he tried to convince then-PM Mahathir not to resign but had no choice but to accept it as the latter insisted on resigning.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/18/in-royal-address-agong-reveals-failed-attempt-to-convince-dr-m-against-resi/1867209 |title=In royal address, Agong reveals failed attempt to convince Dr M against resigning during political crisis |work=Malay Mail |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=18 May 2020}} The Agong ended his speech by calling on politicians not to drag the country into any further political crisis when there was already a COVID-19 pandemic crisis.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/18/king-tells-lawmakers-not-to-drag-the-country-into-another-political-mess-am/1867229 |title=King tells lawmakers not to drag the country into another political mess amid Covid-19 |work=Malay Mail |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=18 May 2020}} The new seating arrangement in the Dewan Rakyat suggested that the Perikatan government had 113 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, after Masir Kujat of Parti Sarawak BERSATU (PSB) clarified that he was not supporting the government, and remained as opposition in federal and state levels.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/18/perikatan-govt-majority-falls-to-two-after-sarawak-mp-masir-kujat-insists-s/1867340 |title=Perikatan govt majority falls to two after Sarawak MP Masir Kujat insists still part of Opposition bloc |work=Malay Mail |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=18 May 2020}} In a press conference attended by Mahathir, Shafie Apdal, Mukhriz Mahathir, Lim Guan Eng and Mat Sabu following the parliamentary seating, Mahathir insisted that BERSATU was still a component of Pakatan Harapan as its Supreme Council never decided to exit the coalition. In a leaked audio tape of the supreme council meeting in February, Muhyiddin had allegedly given Mahathir a week to decide on the party's direction as its chairman. "But before the one-week period, he took action as if he was not in PH. This goes against the party constitution and (any) approval by BERSATU (sic) Supreme Council," said Mahathir.{{cite news |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/05/18/ppbm-still-part-of-ph-dr-m-insists/ |title=PPBM still part of PH, Dr M insists |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=19 May 2020 |archive-date=18 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518205336/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/05/18/ppbm-still-part-of-ph-dr-m-insists/ }} Notably, neither Anwar nor any representatives of PKR attended the press conference.

Mahathir Mohamad, Mukhriz Mahathir, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Maszlee Malik and Amiruddin Hamzah were expelled from BERSATU on 28 May.{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/former-malaysian-prime-minister-mahathir-and-supporters-sacked-from-ruling-bersatu |title=Former Malaysian PM Mahathir and supporters removed from ruling Bersatu party |work=The Straits Times |date=28 May 2020 |access-date=4 June 2020}} They decried the move as illegal and reflective of Muhyiddin's insecurities and dictatorial leadership. In a joint statement, they disputed the interpretation of their decision not to join Muhyiddin's government benches in Parliament as joining another party, which resulted in an automatic revocation of membership, according to the BERSATU party constitution.{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathir-and-four-others-say-their-removal-from-bersatu-is-illegal-and-reflects-pm |title=Mahathir and four others say their removal from Bersatu is illegal and reflects PM Muhyiddin's insecurities |work=The Straits Times |date=29 May 2020 |access-date=4 June 2020}} However, Muhyiddin defended the move and insisted that the five members who were sacked as having breached the party constitution by sitting with the opposition in Parliament.{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-pm-muhyiddin-defends-removal-of-mahathir-and-supporters-from-ruling-bersatu |title=Malaysian PM Muhyiddin defends removal of Mahathir and supporters from ruling Bersatu party |work=The Straits Times |date=30 May 2020 |access-date=4 June 2020}}

Speaker Mohamad Ariff was removed from his position on the next parliamentary sitting on 13 July by a margin of two votes, 111 to 109 and was controversially replaced by recently resigned Electoral Commission (EC) chairman, Azhar Azizan Harun as the new speaker. Azhar's appointment took place amidst a shouting match between Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional MPs, after he was sworn in without a voting session by lawmakers, similar to the removal the incumbent Speaker. However, in his press conference with the media later, Azhar insisted that his appointment was legitimate, saying that there was no need for a voting session in the Lower House, as there was only one nominee.{{Cite news |url=http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/azhar-harun-made-dewan-rakyat-speaker-without-vote-kicks-out-shah-alam-mp |title=Azhar Harun made Speaker without a vote amid ruckus, kicks Shah Alam MP out of Parliament in first ruling |date=13 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |work=The Edge Markets}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/07/13/new-speaker-art-harun-taunted-by-opposition-after-swearing-in-boots-khalid/1884006 |title=Art Harun named new Speaker without a vote, boots Amanah MP Khalid Samad out of Parliament |first=Yiswaree |last=Palansamy |work=Malay Mail |date=13 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020}} The Deputy Speaker, Nga Kor Ming announced his resignation in solidarity with Speaker Ariff. With the resignation of Nga, Prime Minister Muhyiddin announced Azalina Othman Said would replace Nga, making her the first female Deputy Speaker.{{Cite news|url=https://worldofbuzz.com/nga-kor-ming-resigns-as-deputy-speaker-of-the-parliament-azalina-othman-takes-his-place/|title=Nga Kor Ming Resigns As Deputy Speaker Of The Parliament, Azalina Othman Takes His Place |first=Cecelia |last=Chang |date=13 July 2020|work=World of Buzz |access-date=20 July 2020}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/07/13/azalina-first-woman-to-hold-deputy-dewan-rakyat-speakers-post/1884048|title=Who is Azalina Othman Said, the first woman to hold Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker's post? |work=Malay Mail |date=13 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020}}

{{Main|2020 Sabah state election}}

On 23 September, at an afternoon press conference, Anwar Ibrahim, Leader of the Opposition, Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition and People's Justice Party (PKR), announced and claimed that he had commanded a "strong, formidable, convincing majority" and further claimed that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) federal administration led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin "has fallen".{{cite web |title=Anwar claims to possess solid majority, declares Muhyiddin's reign over |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/543700 |website=MalaysiaKini |date = 23 September 2020|access-date=23 September 2020}}{{cite web |last=Tan |first=Vincent |date=23 September 2020 |title=Anwar Ibrahim says he has 'strong majority' to form a new government in Malaysia |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-anwar-ibrahim-strong-majority-form-new-government-13136908?cid=telegram_cna_social_28112017_cna |access-date=23 September 2020 |website=Channel News Asia |archive-date=8 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208195156/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-anwar-ibrahim-strong-majority-form-new-government-13136908?cid=telegram_cna_social_28112017_cna |url-status=dead }} However, Anwar also revealed that his planned audience with the Agong earlier on 22 September had been postponed due to the hospitalisation of the Agong to receive treatment for food poisoning and a sports injury at the National Heart Institute (IJN) on 21 September.{{cite web |title=King admitted to IJN for treatment |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/09/22/king-admitted-to-ijn-for-treatment |website=The Star |access-date=23 September 2020}} When Anwar Ibrahim met the Agong on 13 October, he presented the number of 120 MPs to the Agong but did not submit the names of all the MPs supporting him.{{Cite web|last=Krishnan|first=Dhesegaan Bala|date=2020-10-13|title=Istana Negara: Anwar did not submit names of '120' MPs {{!}} New Straits Times|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2020/10/631948/istana-negara-anwar-did-not-submit-names-120-mps|access-date=2020-10-16|website=NST Online|language=en}}

The Sabah state election took place on 26 September, which led to a Perikatan Nasional victory. After calls to allow postal voting or stop the election were dismissed over concerns on the spread of COVID-19,{{Cite web|date=2020-08-09|title=Malaysia's Sabah state urged to consider postal voting for snap election|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3096610/malaysias-sabah-state-urged-consider-postal-voting-election-due|access-date=2021-08-15|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}} the vote was held in-person with certain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The election led to a major COVID-19 outbreak in Sabah which later spread to other states across the country.{{Cite web|title=Mitigating a Covid-19 spike during the Sabah state election|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2020/09/25/mitigating-a-covid-19-spike-during-the-sabah-state-election|access-date=2021-08-15|website=The Star|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2020-10-06|title=Sabah election spurred Malaysia virus surge, says prime minister|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3104421/coronavirus-malaysia-pm-blames-sabah-election-among|access-date=2021-08-15|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}

By-elections in the Bugaya constituency in Sabah and the Gerik constituency in Perak were both suspended at the request of Prime Minister Muhyiddin in December 2020 by invoking states of emergency over rising COVID-19 cases. Bugaya was thought to be the epicentre of the third wave of COVID-19 in Sabah. Muhyiddin had requested a nationwide state of emergency, but this was rejected by the Agong.{{Cite web|title=Malaysia invokes emergency to stop by-elections as COVID-19 cases rise|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/covid-19-malaysia-emergency-stop-by-elections-sabah-perak-cases-482026|access-date=2021-08-15|website=CNA|language=en|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815220147/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/covid-19-malaysia-emergency-stop-by-elections-sabah-perak-cases-482026|url-status=dead}}

File:MCO covid19 Penang Malaysia (49687038551).jpg, enacted by the government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, became a topic of contention within Perikatan Nasional in 2021.]]

{{Further|2021 Malaysian state of emergency}}

On 13 December 2020, UMNO veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah held a joint press conference with his longtime rival Mahathir Mohamad, where he publicly declared his rejection of the 2021 budget tabled by Muhyiddin. Both men also declared the PN government illegitimate.{{Cite web|last=Phovera|first=Adib|date=2020-12-14|title=Ku Li: PN is not a legitimate government {{!}} New Straits Times|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2020/12/649364/ku-li-pn-not-legitimate-government|website=NST Online|language=en}} Razaleigh did not attend the subsequent budget vote held on 14 December, which was won by the government with 111 ayes against 108 nays.{{Cite web|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Malaysia-in-transition/Malaysia-s-Muhyiddin-narrowly-passes-final-budget-vote-test|title=Malaysia's Muhyiddin narrowly passes final budget vote test|website=Nikkei Asia}}

With growing dissatisfaction within the party ranks over a number of issues, MPs from UMNO began to publicly call for withdrawal from the PN coalition government. Minister of Federal Territories Annuar Musa, who was firm in his stance of "no Anwar, no DAP" with regards to political cooperation, was sacked on 5 January 2021 as Barisan Nasional Secretary General. Annuar's successor Ahmad Maslan publicly called for a general election and labeled ongoing court cases against leading UMNO figures as "cruel".{{Cite web|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/01/08/najib-clarifies-ahmad-maslans-cruel-court-cases-remark/|title=Najib clarifies Ahmad Maslan's 'cruel court cases' remark|date=8 January 2021|access-date=13 January 2021|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111142105/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/01/08/najib-clarifies-ahmad-maslans-cruel-court-cases-remark/}} Annuar himself later alleged in a press conference that a number of UMNO MPs backed by UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were planning on leaving Perikatan Nasional to form a coalition government with DAP and possibly other PH component parties.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/01/06/sacked-as-bn-sec-gen-annuar-accuses-zahid-of-steering-umno-to-conspire-with/1937841|title=Sacked as BN sec-gen, Annuar accuses Zahid of steering Umno to conspire with Anwar, DAP | Malay Mail|first=Kenneth|last=Tee|website=www.malaymail.com|date=6 January 2021 }} The statement was denied by both former Prime Minister Najib Razak{{Cite web|url=https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/najib-dismisses-annuar-claim-umno-094815443.html|title=Najib dismisses Annuar's claim of Umno working with DAP|website=malaysia.news.yahoo.com|date=6 January 2021 }} and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng.{{Cite web|url=https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/guan-eng-rejects-annuar-musa-111549222.html|title=Guan Eng rejects Annuar Musa's claim for DAP, Umno cooperation|website=malaysia.news.yahoo.com|date=6 January 2021 }}

Machang MP Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub held a press conference to personally and publicly announce his withdrawal of support for the PN government and resignation as Chairman of the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB). Jazlan cited BERSATU's repeated attempts to "bully" UMNO as the primary reason for withdrawing support. This resulted in a further collapse of the PN administration led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, at this point commanding the support of only 110 out of 220 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat, Parliament.

On 12 January, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong consented to a national emergency proclamation under Article 150 of the Malaysian Constitution to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, effective from 12 January 2021 to 1 August 2021. With the proclamation, parliament was officially suspended and no snap elections could be held.{{Cite news|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/558548|title=King consents to emergency declaration, to be in force until Aug 1|date=12 January 2021|website=Malaysiakini}} Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz held a press conference on the same day to publicly and personally announce his withdrawal of support, declaring he was no longer aligned with PN as an MP, although his coalition was, further reducing Muhyiddin Yassin's majority to only 109 out of 220 MPs. His withdrawal of support is the third one from his coalition after the withdrawals of support of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (Gua Musang MP) and Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (Machang MP). Nazri told the press that the proclamation was only further evidence that Muhyiddin was unable to prove he commands majority support in parliament if a confidence motion was held.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBLAJ8ZW-aM|title=Nazri: Muhyiddin admitted defeat with emergency declaration|via=www.youtube.com}}

On 18 January, Khairuddin Abu Hassan sued Muhyiddin and his administration over the latter's announcement of a nationwide state of emergency. Khairuddin believed that what Muhyiddin was unlawful and unconstitutional, since Muhyiddin had already lost the majority needed to hold government.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/01/18/khairuddin-files-legal-challenge-against-muhyiddin039s-advice-to-king-over-emergency-proclamation|title=Khairuddin files legal challenge against Muhyiddin's advice to King over Emergency proclamation | The Star|website=www.thestar.com.my}}

On 23 January, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said 115 MPs were against the proclamation of the emergency. Media reports had previously claimed that many MPs had submitted an appeal letter to the King to end the state of emergency imposed on 13 January to fight COVID-19. The opposition claimed the prime minister's move was only to hold on to power, with Parliament suspended.{{Cite web|last=Kaur|first=Minderjeet|date=2021-01-23|title=At least 115 MPs reject emergency, claims Anwar|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/01/23/at-least-115-mps-reject-emergency-claims-anwar/|access-date=2021-01-30|website=Free Malaysia Today (FMT)|language=en-US|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123094729/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/01/23/at-least-115-mps-reject-emergency-claims-anwar/}}

{{More citations needed section|date=August 2021}}

File:MalaysianParliament.jpg in Kuala Lumpur, which hosts the Dewan Rakyat]]

On 24 February, King Abdullah consented for parliament to reconvene during the emergency period after an audience with President of the Dewan Negara Rais Yatim and Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat Azhar Azizan Harun, but left it to the Prime Minister to set a date.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

On 28 February, rumours were rife that two Pakatan Harapan (PH) and People's Justice Party (PKR) MPs, Tebrau MP Steven Choong and Julau MP Larry Sng would become independents and declare support for the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition to provide it with a majority in the Dewan Rakyat, where it only had the support of 109 MPs out of 111 needed for a majority. In the afternoon on the same day, Julau MP Larry Sng confirmed the rumours and signed statutory declarations (SDs) in support of PN with Choong, handing them to Prime Minister Muhyiddin. PN thus regained majority support after the withdrawals of three BN MPs in January, whereas the opposition was once again reduce to a minority in the Dewan Rakyat.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

On 4 March, UMNO announced its support for PN only remained until the dissolution of Parliament, whereby it would withdraw its support after.

On 13 March, PH and PKR Kuala Langat MP and vice-president of PKR Xavier Jayakumar Arulanandam announced his departure from PKR and resignation as PKR Vice-president, crossing over to support the PN led by Muhyiddin Yassin, becoming the third Opposition MP to do so in less than a month after Larry and Steven, as well as strengthening the majority support of PN in the Dewan Rakyat, PN had the support of 112 MPs following his crossover. Parliament carried on being closed after the government decided not to reconvene due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the reason was not accepted by the Opposition, leading them to form a Committee for Ending the Emergency Declaration and to launch a petition to appeal for an end to the state of emergency.

On 4 June, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Takiyuddin Hassan announced that the government was studying ways to reconvene Parliament by holding hybrid sessions virtually and physically to divide the MPs into two groups to attend virtual and physical sessions.

On 7 June, a loyalist of former Prime Minister Mahathir, who strongly opposed the Muhyiddin government, Khairuddin Abu Hassan revealed that the Agong had invited the heads of the major political parties to listen to their views on the current issues ranging from politics, the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic from 9 to 15 June 2021. The invitees included the Prime Minister, Chairman of PN, President of BERSATU Muhyiddin Yassin, Leader of the Opposition, Chairman of PH and President of PKR Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Chairman of PH, Secretary-General of DAP Lim Guan Eng, former prime minister and Chairman of PEJUANG Mahathir Mohamad, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister to Middle East and President of PAS Abdul Hadi Awang, and former deputy prime minister, Chairman of BN and President of UMNO Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

On 15 June, Prime Minister Muhyiddin announced that Parliament might be reconvened in September or October 2021 during the third phase of the National Recovery Plan through a televised address. On 16 June 2021, King Abdullah held a special meeting of the Conference of Rulers (COR) at Istana Negara involving rulers of nine states to discuss the views of the invitees of the audiences and issued a statement that the COR agreed that Parliament should be reconvened as soon as possible, and that the Emergency declaration should not be extended and instead be lifted on 1 August 2021. On 20 June 2021, Prime Minister Muhyiddin claimed that a committee consisting of Government and Opposition MPs was formed to look into every aspect of the reconvening of Parliament to avoid any issues. On 21 June 2021, BN Chairman and UMNO President Ahmad Zahid warned the PN government against treason and disrespect towards the royal institution and gave it a 14-day deadline to reconvene Parliament. He also announced that the Supreme Council of UMNO would meet to discuss the next course of action if their requests and warnings were not fulfilled by the deadline.{{cite news |title='Umno putus hubungan dengan Bersatu lepas Muhyiddin gesa nyatakan pendirian' |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/565257 |access-date=4 March 2021 |work=Malaysiakini |date=4 March 2021}}

On 2 July, Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz claimed that he has returned to support Prime Minister Muhyiddin and withdrew his withdrawal of support declared on 12 January in the same year. His return of support further strengthened the PN government by increasing its majority in Parliament of 112 MPs to 113 MPs.

On 5 July, on the deadline set by UMNO, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced that the Parliament would finally reconvene with two special sessions of Dewan Rakyat from 26 July to 2 August for five days and of Dewan Negara from 3 to 5 August for three days. The PN government also advised the MPs to seize this opportunity to help the government in containing the COVID-19 pandemic by expressing their views and suggestions. However, on 7 July 2021, Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council urged the PN government to extend the five-day special Dewan Rakyat session as it was too short to discuss key issues that have been highlighted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and regretted that the PN government only intended to provide an explanation on the National Recovery Plan (NRP) without any debate, while the Emergency proclamation and Emergency Ordinance would only be tabled and not discussed or decided.[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/nazri-aziz-isytihar-kembali-sokong-muhyiddin-yassin-306283 Nazri Aziz isytihar kembali sokong Muhyiddin Yassin] Astro Awani 2 July 2022

On 7 July, a minor Cabinet reshuffle aimed at distributing more powers and positions to UMNO took place by promoting two UMNO Cabinet members, namely Ismail Sabri Yaakob from Senior Minister (Security) to the 13th Deputy Prime Minister and Hishammuddin Hussein, Minister of Foreign Affairs to Senior Minister (Security). It was seen as a gesture to ease the tensions between UMNO and PN as well as to persuade UMNO, which has been unsatisfied with PN due to the unequal distribution of powers and positions, to retain their support for Muhyiddin as PM and PN as government.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/582092|title = Ismail Sabri appointed DPM, Hishammuddin now senior minister|date = 7 July 2021}}

However, on 8 July 2021, after a UMNO supreme council meeting had been held, BN Chairman and UMNO President Ahmad Zahid addressed the media virtually and announced that UMNO would officially withdraw support for PM Muhyiddin with immediate effect. He cited the government's failure to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, dissatisfaction with the economic response and the extension of the Movement Control Order. He also called for the appointment of a new prime minister who would concentrate on containing the COVID-19 pandemic, before the next election immediately after the nation achieves herd immunity against COVID-19 through the vaccination programme.{{Cite web|url=https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/umno-tarik-balik-sokongan-terhadap-muhyiddin-sertamerta-zahid-hamidi-307220|access-date=2021-08-15 | title=UMNO tarik balik sokongan terhadap Muhyiddin serta-merta - Zahid Hamidi | trans-title=UMNO withdrew support for Muhyiddin immediately - Zahid Hamidi |website=www.astroawani.com | date=July 8, 2021 }} Later that day, the Attorney General of Malaysia Idrus Harun said that Muhyiddin and his Cabinet could still exercise power as there was no clear evidence to show that the team had lost the majority of lawmakers.{{cite web |last1=Yusof |first1=Amir |title=PM Muhyiddin and Cabinet can still exercise executive powers despite UMNO's withdrawal: Attorney-General |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-muhyiddin-executive-powers-attorney-general-umno-15179174 |website=CNA |access-date=8 July 2021 |date=8 July 2021}} In addition, BERSATU's information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan rejected accusations by Ahmad Zahid that the Government failed.{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Vincent |title=Bersatu rejects Ahmad Zahid's allegations that government has failed to fulfil Malaysians' aspirations |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-bersatu-reject-umno-zahid-people-aspirations-15180762 |website=CNA |access-date=8 July 2021 |date=8 July 2021}}

On 10 July, UMNO's vice-president and newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the majority of UMNO's supreme council disagreed with Ahmad Zahid's directive to withdraw support for Muhyiddin at this point amid the current pandemic as it was not a "reasonable move", and that efforts should be focused on helping people during these times instead of politicking. Although UMNO decided earlier in a 2020 meeting to withdraw support for Perikatan Nasional, the decision did not have to be carried out now, saying that this had to be done at the right time.{{cite web |title=Majority of Umno supreme council disagreed on withdrawing support for Muhyiddin: Ismail Sabri |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/majority-of-umno-supreme-council-disagreed-to-withdraw-support-for-pm-muhyiddin-says |website=The Straits Times |access-date=12 July 2021 |date=10 July 2021}} Four days later, the Cabinet including all nine ministers from UMNO agreed to support Muhyiddin as prime minister to lead Malaysia out of the crisis.{{cite web |title=9 Umno Cabinet ministers give full backing to Malaysia's PM Muhyiddin |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/nine-umno-cabinet-ministers-give-full-backing-to-malaysias-pm-muhyiddin |website=The Straits Times |access-date=14 July 2021 |date=14 July 2021}}

Parliament reconvened on 26 July for the first time in 2021, for a special five-day session. The Agong requested that State of Emergency measures be discussed in Parliament; the government stated no other issues were to be debated.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-05|title=Malaysia to hold special parliament sitting for five days from July 26|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysia-parliament-sit-five-days-starting-july-26-pms-office-2021-07-05/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=Reuters|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-07-31|title=Malaysia suspends Monday's Parliament session, citing risk of Covid-19 infection|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-suspends-mondays-parliament-session-citing-risk-of-covid-infection|access-date=2021-08-17|website=The Straits Times|language=en}} The session was chaotic; no debate or vote was held on COVID-19 emergency measures and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and former Prime Minister Mahathir accused the government of not fulfilling the Agong's request. Prime Minister Muhyiddin also left early, which incensed the opposition.{{Cite web |last=Jaipragas |first=Bhavan |date=2021-07-26 |title=Malaysia's parliament in chaos as PM refuses to allow debate |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3142516/malaysias-parliament-chaos-pm-muhyiddin-yassin-refuses-allow |access-date=2021-08-17 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}} Delays occurred when positive COVID-19 cases were detected among parliamentarians.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-29|title=Malaysia PM under pressure to quit after stern royal rebuke|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/malaysia-pm-under-pressure-to-quit-after-stern-royal-rebuke-parliament-malaysia-kuala-lumpur-anwar-ibrahim-mahathir-mohamad-b1892891.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730022708/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/malaysia-pm-under-pressure-to-quit-after-stern-royal-rebuke-parliament-malaysia-kuala-lumpur-anwar-ibrahim-mahathir-mohamad-b1892891.html |archive-date=2021-07-30 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-17|website=The Independent|language=en}}

Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan also told Parliament on 26 July that the State of Emergency had been annulled on 21 July. On 29 July, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong released a rare rebuke criticising the government, and singled out Takiyuddin in particular, accusing him of misleading Parliament on the revocation of the state of emergency which he had not approved. The palace said that the Agong was "amat dukacita" (deeply disappointed), and said Takiyuddin and Attorney-General Idrus Harun did not fulfil their promise to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to have the State of Emergency debated.{{Cite web|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7eTGsTgyUs | title = Agong very disappointed, says Takiyuddin misled Parliament | work = Kini TV |access-date = 13 August 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-29/malaysia-s-disappointed-king-wades-into-parliament-debate | title=Rare Rebuke From Malaysia's King Deepens Muhyiddin's Troubles |date=29 July 2021 |access-date=2021-08-17| website=www.bloomberg.com}} Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim read the Agong's statement aloud in Parliament, accusing the Muhyiddin cabinet of "violat[ing] the constitution and insult[ing] the royal institution" and filed a no-confidence motion against Muhyiddin. Deputy Speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon dismissed the Agong's letter as a "media statement". Other opposition lawmakers shouted "treason" and "resign" as Anwar read the Agong's statement.{{Cite web|last=Kaur|first=Minderjeet|date=2021-07-29|title=Cries of 'treason' and 'resign' as Anwar reads King's statement|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/07/29/cries-of-treason-and-resign-as-anwar-reads-kings-statement/|url-status=live|website=Free Malaysia Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729044514/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/07/29/cries-of-treason-and-resign-as-anwar-reads-kings-statement/ |archive-date=29 July 2021 }}

The special parliamentary session was suspended on 31 July when 11 positive COVID-19 cases were detected among its members. The opposition criticised this, accusing the government of further delaying parliamentary debate.{{Cite web|title=Malaysia's special parliamentary meeting next Monday postponed due to COVID-19 cases in lower house|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-parliament-postponed-covid-19-cases-aug-2-2078351|access-date=2021-08-18|website=CNA|language=en}}

On 31 July, hundreds of protesters attempted to gather in Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin over his and the Malaysian government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=Hundreds take to Kuala Lumpur's streets in anti-gov't protest|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/31/hundreds-take-to-streets-in-anti-government-protest-in-malaysia|access-date=2021-08-01|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|website=Deutsche Welle|title=Malaysian protesters demand PM Muhyiddin's resignation|date=2021-07-31|url=https://www.dw.com/en/malaysian-protesters-demand-pm-muhyiddins-resignation/a-58713654|access-date=2021-08-01|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|last=Ramlan|first=Alyaa Alhadjri & Vivian Yap, Yasmin|date=2021-07-31|title=Hundreds of #Lawan protesters in KL demand PM's resignation|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/585291|access-date=2021-08-01|website=Malaysiakini|language=en}}

After the nationwide State of Emergency ended, a new one was declared in Sarawak starting from 2 August, delaying the Sarawak state election to February 2022{{Cite web|title=Dr Sim: No election in Sarawak until after Feb 2, 2022 due to Emergency|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/07/31/dr-sim-no-election-in-sarawak-until-after-feb-2-2022-due-to-emergency/|access-date=2021-08-15|website=Borneo Post Online|date=31 July 2021 |language=en-US}} which would have otherwise occurred in 2021.{{Cite web|date=2021-06-06|title=Term of Sarawak's legislative assembly ends, but it will continue until Aug 1 due to state of emergency|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/sarawak-legislative-assembly-to-continue-term-until-aug-1-due-to-malaysias-state-of|access-date=2021-08-15|website=The Straits Times|language=en}}

On 2 August, opposition MPs attempted to enter parliament in defiance of the session's suspension over COVID-19 cases detected in the building, but were blocked by police. They instead gathered in protest at Merdeka Square and called for Prime Minister Muhyiddin to resign. Anwar Ibrahim and Mahathir Mohamad were both in attendance. Anwar had been quoted saying that Muhyiddin's government had lost its majority support and called for its resignation. They had attempted to march to the parliament from Merdeka Square, until they were blocked by the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), who are usually called to handle riots. Afterwards, the MPs dispersed peacefully, and police indicated that the lawmakers would be summoned for questioning.{{Cite web|title=Malaysia opposition MPs gather at Merdeka Square after being blocked from entering parliament|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-opposition-dataran-merdeka-parliament-postponed-covid19-15360260|access-date=2021-08-02|website=CNA|language=en}}{{Cite web|last1=Rodzi|first1=Nadirah H.|date=2021-08-02|title=Police stop Malaysian opposition lawmakers from marching to Parliament|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/heavy-police-presence-outside-malaysian-parliament|access-date=2021-08-02|website=The Straits Times|language=en}}

On 3 August, the President of UMNO Ahmad Zahid Hamidi along with 10 other UMNO MPs held a press conference announcing the withdrawal of UMNO's support for Muhyiddin as prime minister.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/03/umno-withdraws-support-of-its-mps-for-perikatan-govt|title=Umno withdraws support of its MPs for Perikatan govt|work=The Star Online|date=3 August 2021 |access-date=3 August 2021}}

Following the announcement of UMNO's withdrawal, two UMNO cabinet ministers - Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Shamsul Anuar Nasarah{{cite news|date=3 August 2021|title=Umno's Lenggong MP quits as Energy and Natural Resources Minister|work=The Star Online|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/03/umno039s-lenggong-mp-quits-as-energy-and-natural-resources-minister|access-date=3 August 2021}}{{cite news|date=4 August 2021|title=Shamsul resigns from Cabinet post|work=The Star|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/04/shamsul-resigns-from-cabinet-post|access-date=4 August 2021}} and Minister of Higher Education Noraini Ahmad{{cite news|date=6 August 2021|title=Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad quits as Higher Education Minister|work=The Star Online|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/06/noraini-quits-as-higher-education-minister|access-date=6 August 2021}}{{cite news|date=6 August 2021|title=Noraini Ahmad resigns as Higher Education Minister|publisher=Astro Awani|url=https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/noraini-ahmad-resigns-higher-education-minister-312656|access-date=6 August 2021}} - resigned from their posts on 3 August and 6 August respectively, citing loyalty to the party.

On 4 August, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and the Perikatan Nasional government held a special address to the nation alongside the Deputy Prime Minister and Vice President of UMNO Ismail Sabri Yaakob, whereby he announced that he would not resign, and that he would table a motion of confidence to establish the legitimacy of his position in the Dewan Rakyat in September. He also added that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had sent him a letter regarding 8 UMNO lawmakers' request to withdraw support for Muhyiddin, and that Muhyiddin must resign should he lose the majority support in parliament. A few other PN MPs stated that Muhyiddin still possessed a majority in parliament. Pakatan Harapan MPs rejected the claims, maintaining that Muhyiddin and the Cabinet should resign. They also added that the motion should be tabled before 9 August to end the issue of the prime minister's legitimacy. Several parties also emphasised an immediate tabling of the confidence motion.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/04/muhyiddin-says-he-will-not-resign-to-table-motion-of-confidence-in-september|title=Muhyiddin says he will not resign, to table motion of confidence in September|work=The Star Online|date=4 August 2021 |access-date=4 August 2021}}{{cite web |title='Impossible' for Malaysian PM Muhyiddin to command a parliamentary majority: Opposition |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/impossible-malaysian-pm-muhyiddin-command-parliamentary-majority-opposition-2089921 |website=CNA |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=4 August 2021}}

Following Ismail Sabri's support for Muhyiddin, this started a split in the party as some UMNO MPs continued their support for Muhyiddin while some MPs joined Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in withdrawing their support for Muhyiddin. The support totalled up to 31 Barisan Nasional members.{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Vincent |title=31 BN lawmakers to remain in Muhyiddin-led government until legitimacy is determined in Malaysian parliament |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/31-bn-lawmakers-remain-muhyiddin-led-government-until-legitimacy-determined-malaysian-parliament-2095851 |website=CNA |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=6 August 2021}}

On 9 August, UMNO's website displayed documents of UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, of whom presented a list of 14 UMNO MPs to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, to inform the King of their signed statutory declarations dated 29 July to 3 August to withdraw support for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. The list includes the 11 MPs that held the press conference on 3 August, former Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, and both Sabah UMNO MPs Bung Moktar Radin and Mohamad Alamin.{{cite news|url=https://umno-online.my/2021/08/09/umno-sahkan-dua-warkah-telah-diutus-kepada-kdymm-yang-di-pertuan-agong/|title=UMNO Sahkan Dua Warkah Telah Diutus Kepada KDYMM Yang di-Pertuan Agong|date=9 August 2021 |access-date=9 August 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/08/09/zahid-wrote-to-agong-to-say-14-mps-signed-sds-to-withdraw-support-for-muhyi/1996379|title=Zahid wrote to Agong to say 14 MPs signed SDs to withdraw support for Muhyiddin, Perikatan, Umno-released letters show|work=Malay Mail|date=9 August 2021 |access-date=9 August 2021}}

By 9 August, 15 UMNO MPs had withdrawn their support for Muhyiddin as prime minister.{{cite news|url=https://newslab.malaysiakini.com/battle-for-putrajaya/en|title=Battle for Putrajaya|work=Kini News Lab|date=9 August 2021 |access-date=9 August 2021}}

{{legend|#90ff90|For Muhyiddin as Prime Minister}}

{{legend|#ff9090|Against Muhyiddin as Prime Minister}}

On 11 August, top leaders in the ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition flocked to the Perdana Putra Complex to attend a political meeting with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.{{Cite news|url=https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/pn-leaders-attend-meeting-muhyiddin-313538 |title=PN leaders attend meeting with Muhyiddin |author=Bernama|date=August 11, 2021|publisher=Astro Awani|language=en-GB|access-date=February 12, 2021}}

On 12 August, Minister of Communications and Multimedia Saifuddin Abdullah announced that the confidence motion would be held on 7 September. In addition, Johor Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar said he would not hesitate to dissolve the Johor State Legislative Assembly if politicians continued to struggle for power and destabilise the state.{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Vincent |title=Malaysian PM Muhyiddin's confidence motion scheduled for Sep 7: Communications minister |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysian-pm-muhyiddins-confidence-motion-scheduled-sep-7-communications-minister-2105691 |website=CNA |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=12 August 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Yusof |first1=Amir |title=I will not hesitate to dissolve state assembly, says Johor sultan as he warns against 'political games' |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/johor-sultan-covid-19-dissolve-state-assembly-political-games-2107826 |website=CNA |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=12 August 2021}}

On 13 August in a televised address, Muhyiddin offered a series of major concessions to opposition parties, including opposition leader Anwar, in an attempt to form a unity government ahead of an expected vote of confidence scheduled for September. These included a constitutional amendment to introduce two-term limits for the Prime Minister, equal financial allocation for all MPs, greater resources for the Leader of the Opposition, introducing an anti-party hopping bill in Parliament, balanced parliamentary committees, allowing 18-year-olds to vote, and a general election by July 2022, among others. These were unanimously rejected by all opposition parties, who characterised the proposal as corruption and reiterated calls for Muhyiddin to resign.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-13|title=Opposition accuse Malaysian leader of 'corruption' after unity plea|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3144991/malaysias-political-crisis-facing-no-confidence-vote-defeat|access-date=2021-08-15|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-08-15|title=Malaysian PM Muhyiddin's political deal under scrutiny as endgame nears|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3145071/unity-deal-or-corruption-malaysian-pm-muhyiddin-yassins-last|access-date=2021-08-15|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Vincent |title=Malaysian PM Muhyiddin seeks bipartisan support for upcoming confidence motion in parliament |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-muhyiddin-confidence-motion-bipartisan-general-election-2111121 |website=CNA |access-date=17 August 2021 |date=13 August 2021}}

On 15 August, Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Special Functions) said that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin would announce his resignation the following day.{{cite web |last1=Yusof |first1=Amir |title=Malaysian PM Muhyiddin to make announcement on political future on Monday: Reports |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysian-pm-muhyiddin-make-announcement-political-future-monday-reports-2113901 |website=CNA |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=15 August 2021}} On August 17, the Muhyiddin cabinet was dissolved after the ministers handed in their resignation to His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, with Muhyiddin remaining as caretaker prime minister until a new leader was appointed.{{cite web |last1=Tho |first1=Xin Yi |last2=Yusof |first2=Amir |title=Muhyiddin Yassin appointed Malaysian caretaker PM after resignation is accepted by the king |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-prime-minister-resign-muhyiddin-yassin-king-2115091 |website=CNA |access-date=16 August 2021 |date=16 August 2021}} Muhyiddin admitted he had lost majority support in a televised address, and said that he would not "conspire with kleptocrats, or interfere with the judiciary or turn his back on the Constitution to stay in power". The Palace also announced that an election would not be held due to the ongoing pandemic, and that the Agong would once again appoint the next premier.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-16|title=Malaysian PM Muhyiddin resigns as political crisis escalates|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysian-pm-expected-resign-after-months-political-turmoil-2021-08-16/|access-date=2021-09-16|website=Reuters|language=en}}

On 17 August, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong again met with MPs, asking them to send him their choice for next prime minister via fax, email or WhatsApp by 4pm on 18 August. Political leaders met with MPs in an attempt to gain supporters. Local media reported Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Anwar Ibrahim, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Shafie Apdal were in the running. In addition, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong made it clear to parties that a new form of politics that brings peace and harmony was needed, with all parties reaching a consensus towards that.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-17|title=Malaysia's Anwar, 3 others vie to get 'magic number' to become next PM|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3145378/malaysias-political-crisis-4-heavyweights-contention-be-pm-king|access-date=2021-08-17|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Yusof |first1=Amir |title=Malaysian king wants 'new politics' that bring peace and harmony: Anwar after royal audience on next PM |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-anwar-next-pm-royal-audience-new-politics-peace-harmony-2118231 |website=CNA |access-date=19 August 2021 |date=17 August 2021}}

According to reports the following day, UMNO nominated Ismail Sabri Yaakob as their candidate for prime minister and was supported by PAS and BERSATU, with Anwar Ibrahim nominated by the Pakatan Harapan coalition and supported by its component parties. UMNO initially suggested 3 potential PM candidates — Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Mohamad Hasan and Ismail Sabri Yaakob. However, Zahid withdrew himself and Mohamad was ineligible as a non-MP.{{cite news |date= 18 August 2021|title= 'Ahmad Zahid tarik diri, Ismail Sabri layak atas pengalaman'|url= https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2021/08/852785/ahmad-zahid-tarik-diri-ismail-sabri-layak-atas-pengalaman|access-date= 20 August 2021}} This automatically paved the way for Ismail Sabri.{{cite news |date= 18 August 2021|title= Hanya satu nama sebagai calon PM, Ismail Sabri - Umno|url= https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2021/08/743803/hanya-satu-nama-sebagai-calon-pm-ismail-sabri-umno|access-date= 20 August 2021}} It was also reported that an UMNO MP did not support Sabri,{{cite news |date= 18 August 2021|title= Hanya satu MP Umno saja yang tak sokong Ismail Sabri - Zahidi|url= https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/587674|access-date= 20 August 2021}} which was revealed to be Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.{{cite news |date= 19 August 2021|title= Ku Li ahli Parlimen tunggal dari Umno tak sokong Ismail Sabri sebagai PM|url= https://www.malaysianow.com/berita/2021/08/19/ku-li-ahli-parlimen-tunggal-dari-umno-tak-sokong-ismail-sabri-sebagai-pm/|access-date= 20 August 2021}} Meanwhile, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong called for a meeting two days later with all state rulers and asked that a confidence motion be tabled to confirm the majority.{{cite web |last1=Yusof |first1=Amir |title=UMNO to nominate Ismail Sabri as Malaysian PM candidate as lawmakers are due to declare their choice today |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-pm-umno-nominates-ismail-sabri-ph-anwar-2119736 |website=CNA |access-date=19 August 2021 |date=18 August 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Teoh |first1=Shannon |title=Malaysia's King says next PM must seek confidence vote; state rulers to meet on Friday |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysias-king-says-next-pm-must-seek-confidence-vote-state-rulers-to-meet-on-friday |website=The Straits Times |access-date=19 August 2021 |date=18 August 2021}}

On 19 August, meetings began with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to verify support of Members of Parliarment (MP) who nominated Ismail Sabri as a candidate. Istana Negara received nominations for the future prime minister from 220 members of the Dewan Rakyat, each through a statutory declaration on 18 August 2021. From the declaration letters, a total of 114 members of the Dewan Rakyat nominated Ismail Sabri, a sufficient majority to form the government. Following that, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong agreed to grant an audience with the 114 members of the Dewan Rakyat to confirm their trust in Ismail Sabri who was nominated to be appointed as the next prime minister. Subsequently, Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin affirmed support for Ismail Sabri provided the Cabinet did not include MPs facing criminal charges.{{cite web|date=19 August 2021|title=Malaysian MPs backing Ismail Sabri as next PM meet with the king to verify their support|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-prime-minister-mps-summoned-palace-meet-king-ismail-sabri-2121566|access-date=19 August 2021|website=CNA}}{{Cite web|date=2021-08-19|title=Malaysia's longest-governing party seems set to return to PM|url=https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-malaysia-32c8183e685a506bfd8c5c45ffaf5a82|access-date=2021-08-19|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Vincent |title=Perikatan Nasional gives 'conditional' support for Ismail Sabri; decision ensures policy continuity: Muhyiddin |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-muhyiddin-perikatan-nasional-conditional-support-ismail-sabri-ensure-policy-continuity-2123306 |website=CNA |access-date=17 September 2021 |date=19 August 2021}} An online petition opposing Ismail Sabri's appointment gained over 200,000 signatures within the first 8 hours, and subsequently garnered more than 350,000 signatures.{{Cite news|date=2021-08-20|title=Some Malaysians petition to stop Umno's Ismail from becoming next PM|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/some-malaysians-petition-to-stop-ismail-from-becoming-next-pm|access-date=2021-08-20|website=The Straits Times|language=en}}

On 20 August, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong named UMNO's vice president, Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the nation's 9th Prime Minister in accordance with Article 40(2)(a) and Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution after being satisfied that he commanded the confidence of the majority in Parliament.

Ismail Sabri was formally appointed and sworn in as the ninth prime minister of Malaysia in front of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the Istana Negara on the afternoon of 21 August 2021.{{Cite news|title=Malaysia's Ismail Sabri Yaakob sworn in as new PM|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/21/malaysias-ismail-sabri-yaakob-sworn-in-as-new-pm|access-date=2021-08-21|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}} Ismail Sabri formed his new cabinet after getting approval from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong following a meeting on 26 August at the Istana Abdulaziz in Pahang, Kuantan.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-26|title=PM arrives at Istana Abdulaziz in Kuantan for audience with King|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/26/pm-arrives-at-istana-abdulaziz-in-kuantan-for-audience-with-king}} The Prime Minister's Office replied to the media that the cabinet list would be announced at 11am the next day and the swearing-in of all ministers would be done on 30 August 2021. When the new cabinet was announced, it consisted of ministers mostly retained from the Muhyiddin cabinet with some minor changes.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-26|title=Cabinet will not be announced Thursday (Aug 26), says PMO|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/26/cabinet-will-not-be-announced-thursday-aug-26-says-pmo}}{{Cite web|date=2021-08-26|title=Cabinet line-up announcement on Friday (Aug 27)|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/26/cabinet-line-up-announcement-on-friday-aug-27|language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Vincent |title=Malaysia PM Ismail Sabri names 4 senior ministers in new Cabinet; no DPM appointed |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-pm-ismail-sabri-names-4-senior-ministers-new-cabinet-no-dpm-appointed-2136711 |website=CNA |access-date=17 September 2021 |date=27 August 2021}}

Opposition parties criticised the newly formed cabinet. The leader of the opposition, Anwar Ibrahim described it as a "recycled cabinet" of Muhyiddin's government, and stated that a majority of the people were disappointed with the new cabinet ministers as they had failed to fulfil their previous duties during the PN administration, and that the new cabinet could not bring in confidence among domestic and foreign investors.{{Cite web|last=Mutalib|first=Zanariah Abd|date=2021-08-27|title=It's a recycled cabinet, says Anwar {{!}} New Straits Times|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2021/08/721990/its-recycled-cabinet-says-anwar|access-date=2021-08-28|website=NST Online|language=en}} DAP's secretary-general, Lim Guan Eng questioned the competency of the new cabinet line-up unveiled by the Prime Minister.{{Cite web|last=Razak|first=Radzi|title=Guan Eng: PM Ismail Sabri's recycled Cabinet raises concern of another failed govt {{!}} Malay Mail|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/08/27/guan-eng-pm-ismail-sabris-recycled-cabinet-raises-concern-of-another-failed/2000863|access-date=2021-08-28|website=www.malaymail.com|date=27 August 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite news|date=2021-08-27|title='Recycled' cabinet: How to deliver in 100 days after failing for 17 months? - Anwar|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/588925|access-date=2021-08-28|website=Malaysiakini|language=en}}

Deputy Minister for Education II Mohamad Alamin could not attend the swearing-in ceremony due to being infected with COVID-19,{{Cite web|date=2021-08-30|title=Mohamad Alamin infected with Covid-19, will not attend swearing-in ceremony|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/30/mohamad-alamin-infected-with-covid-19-will-not-attend-swearing-in-ceremony}} nor did Ismail Sabri or Minister for Entrepreneurship Development and Cooperative Noh Omar due to them self-quarantining after being in contact with undisclosed COVID-19 infected contacts.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-30|title=PM not attending swearing-in ceremony of new Cabinet after coming into contact with Covid-19 patient|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/08/30/pm-not-attending-swearing-in-ceremony-of-new-cabinet-after-coming-into-contact-with-covid-19-patient}}{{Cite web|date=2021-08-30|title=Ministers, deputies sworn in before Agong|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/589284|access-date=2021-08-30|website=Malaysiakini|language=en}}

On 10 September 2021, the cabinet agreed to implement key reforms like an Anti-Party Hopping Bill, equal membership in parliamentary committees, consulting on every Bill, having the Opposition Leader the same amenities as a cabinet minister, limiting a prime minister's term to 10 years and speeding up an amendment for 18-year-olds to vote and stand in elections. The following day, the opposition indicated its willingness to accept the deal in the interest of the country.{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Vincent |title=Malaysia Cabinet agrees to table anti-hopping law, implement parliamentary reforms ahead of Lower House sitting |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-cabinet-anti-hopping-law-ismail-sabri-yaakob-2169716 |website=CNA |access-date=17 September 2021 |date=10 September 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Yusof |first1=Amir |title=Pakatan Harapan 'inclined to accept' Malaysia PM Ismail Sabri's offer of parliamentary reforms |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-pakatan-harapan-pm-ismail-sabri-parliamentary-reforms-offer-2172336 |website=CNA |access-date=17 September 2021 |date=12 September 2021}}

On 12 September 2021, the government led by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and opposition led by Leader of the Opposition Anwar Ibrahim agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bipartisan cooperation and proposed reforms for greater political cooperation and stability during the COVID-19 pandemic. The MoU was signed the following day with elections not expected before 31 July 2022.{{cite news |last1=Teoh |first1=Shannon |title=Malaysian govt and opposition reach deal on confidence-and-supply agreement |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-govt-and-opposition-reach-deal-on-a-confidence-and-supply-agreement |website=The Straits Times |access-date=17 September 2021 |date=12 September 2021}}{{Cite web|date=2021-09-13|title=Malaysia's government signs cooperation pact with opposition in boost for PM|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysia-pm-sign-cooperation-pact-with-opposition-shore-up-support-2021-09-13/|access-date=2021-09-14|website=Reuters|language=en}}{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Vincent |title=Malaysian government and opposition Pakatan Harapan ink 'historic' MOU on bipartisan cooperation |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysian-government-and-opposition-pakatan-harapan-ink-historic-mou-bipartisan-cooperation-2174116 |website=CNA |access-date=17 September 2021 |date=13 September 2021}} Media commentary noted the significant milestone for Malaysian politics, given bipartisan cooperation has not occurred in the history of the country.{{Cite news|title=An End To Winner-Takes-All In Malaysian Politics?|url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/09/an-end-to-winner-takes-all-in-malaysian-politics/|access-date=2021-09-14|website=thediplomat.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Lim|first=Ida|title=Analysts: Ismail Sabri comes out 'hero' with rare agreement marking political ceasefire with Pakatan {{!}} Malay Mail|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/08/26/analysts-ismail-sabri-comes-out-hero-with-rare-agreement-marking-political/2000485|access-date=2021-09-14|website=www.malaymail.com|date=26 August 2021 |language=en}}

{{Main|2021 Malacca state election|2021 Sarawak state election}}

The Malacca State Legislative Assembly was dissolved on 4 October when four members withdrew support for Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali, triggering the 2021 Malacca state election.{{Cite web|title=Governor dissolves Melaka state assembly {{!}} Daily Express Online - Sabah's Leading News Portal|url=https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/179103/governor-dissolves-melaka-state-assembly/|access-date=2021-10-07|website=www.dailyexpress.com.my|date=5 October 2021}} The government announced it would seek expert advice over whether the election can be held safely given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, or whether a state-wide state of emergency could be introduced to postpone it.{{Cite web|title=Govt seeks experts' views on Melaka election|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/10/07/govt-seeks-experts-views-on-melaka-election|access-date=2021-10-07|website=The Star|language=en}} The state election was carried out 20 November 2021 with strict Standard Operating Procedures, where Barisan Nasional won with a two-thirds majority of 21 seats in the Malacca State Legislative Assembly.Harits Asyraf Hasnan. (21 November 2021). [https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/rasmi-sah-bn-tawan-semula-melaka-331991 Sah! BN tawan semula Melaka] Astro Awani. Retrieved 19 November 2022

On 3 November 2021, Istana Negara announced that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah consented to lift the state of emergency, thus the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly dissolved automatically and the state election was to be held within 60 days to elect a new state government.{{cite news|url= https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/11/03/emergency-in-sarawak-lifted |title=Emergency in Sarawak lifted |work=The Star|author=Sharon Ling|date=3 November 2021|access-date=3 November 2021}} On 18 December 2021, GPS won with a two-thirds majority, winning 76 of 82 contested seats in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.{{cite web|title=Landslide win for GPS coalition as it retains power in Sarawak state polls|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/sarawak-state-polls-gps-coalition-wins-dec-18-2388631|publisher=Channel News Asia|access-date=18 December 2021}}

{{main|2022 Johor state election}}

The snap election was called prematurely after the government led by Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad had lost a simple majority in the legislature, being left with a minority government of just 28 seats, above one seat against the 27 seats of the opposition following the death of Kempas assemblyman and former Menteri Besar Osman Sapian on 21 December 2021 before the dissolution. The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ismail consented to the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly on 22 January 2022, paving the way for state polls within 60 days.{{cite web |title=Johor Sultan consents to snap state polls|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/607970 |website=Malaysiakini |date=22 January 2022|access-date=22 January 2022}}{{Cite news|last=Shukry|first=Anish|date=22 January 2022|title=Malaysia's Johor Set for Poll as Ruler Dissolves State Assembly|work=Bloomberg News|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-01-22/malaysia-s-johor-set-for-poll-as-ruler-dissolves-state-assembly}}

On 12 March, Barisan Nasional (BN) continued its landslide winning streak in recent state elections, winning 40 seats and a two-thirds majority.Muhammad Yusri Muzamir (2 March 2022). [https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2022/03/933397/prn-johor-bn-raih-kejayaan-dua-pertiga-menang-40-kerusi PRN Johor: BN raih kejayaan dua pertiga, menang 40 kerusi] 65 BH Retrieved 19 November 2022 Pakatan Harapan (PH) suffered heavy losses, winning only 12 seats. Perikatan Nasional (PN) won just 3 seats. The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) won 1 seat in its election debut.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

On 24 June, Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman was removed from UMNO supreme council. After his removal decision, Tajuddin accepted the decision and held a press conference to reveal the UMNO leadership crisis, which includes that UMNO was going to split between two camps, which are Zahid's camp and Ismail's camp; UMNO President, Zahid Hamidi's attempt to become PM and SD declaration for Anwar to become PM that happened during 2020 and 2021. Tajuddin also asked for Zahid's resignation as UMNO President for good because Zahid is currently facing a corruption trial in court.{{cite web | url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/06/27/tajuddin-says-not-bothered-if-kicked-out-by-umno | title=Tajuddin says not bothered if kicked out from Umno }}

{{Further|2022 Malaysian general election}}

A constitutional amendment was passed, which prohibits members of parliament from switching political parties.{{Cite web |date=3 October 2022 |title=Anti-hopping law among 14 Acts given royal consent |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2022/10/03/anti-hopping-law-among-14-acts-given-royal-consent/ |website=Free Malaysia Today}} Several UMNO lawmakers began calling for a snap election before the end of 2022 to resolve ongoing infighting in the party and obtain a stronger mandate, with the UMNO Supreme Council agreeing to this by the end of September.{{Cite news |date=2022-10-01 |title=Malaysia's ruling party pushes for national elections this year |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysias-ruling-party-pushes-national-elections-this-year-2022-10-01/ |access-date=2022-10-11}} On 10 October 2022, Ismail Sabri announced that the 14th Parliament had been dissolved to pave way for the upcoming 15th general election, which would be held within 60 days.{{Cite web |title=Malaysia announces early election amid persistent in-fighting |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/10/10/malaysia-announces-early-election-amid-continued-in-fighting |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}

On 20 October, the Election Commission revealed the polling date for the 15th general election set on 19 November.{{cite web|title=Minutes after GE15 dates announced, Malaysians stunned by sky high airfares|date=20 October 2022 |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/10/20/minutes-after-ge15-dates-announced-malaysians-stunned-by-sky-high-airfares/34692|publisher=Malaymail|access-date=20 October 2022}}

On 19 November, for the first time in Malaysian history, the results of the 2022 election resulted in a hung Parliament whereby no alliance had gained enough seats to form the next government.{{cite web | url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/11/20/hung-parliament-in-ge15-as-both-pakatan-and-perikatan-in-race-to-form-govt/40752 | title=Hung Parliament in GE15, as both Pakatan and Perikatan in race to form govt | date=20 November 2022 }} While the far-right, Islamist Malaysian Islamic Party won the most number of seats for a single party in the election,{{cite web | url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/malaysia-far-right-islamists-hung-parliament/ | title=Malaysia Sees Far-Right Islamists Rise as Election Ends in Hung Parliament | date=21 November 2022 }} the Pakatan Harapan coalition led by Anwar Ibrahim won the highest number of seats for a coalition in the Dewan Rakyat, but former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and leader of the Perikatan Nasional coalition claimed to have a sufficient majority to be appointed as prime minister.{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/11/20/muhyiddin-i-have-the-numbers-to-be-pm |title=Muhyiddin: I have the numbers to be PM |date=20 November 2022 |work=The Star |access-date=21 November 2022}} Negotiations between party members and party leaders are taking place to determine if there is a single leader who can command the confidence of a majority of MPs, for subsequent appointment as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah, gave all party leaders and coalition leaders a deadline of 2 pm on Monday, 21 November 2022 MST, to submit the name of their preferred candidate for prime minister, to the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat.{{cite web |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/11/852948/ge15-istana-negara-wants-parties-submit-finalised-coalitions-and-pm |title=GE15: Istana Negara wants parties to submit finalized coalitions and PM candidate by 2pm tomorrow |date=20 November 2022 |publisher=New Straits Times |access-date=21 November 2022}} The deadline was further extended by 24 hours until Tuesday, 22 November 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-election-deadline-submit-names-tuesday-pakatan-harapan-anwar-perikatan-nasional-muhyiddin-barisan-nasional-3089361|title=Deadline for Malaysia coalitions to present numbers, propose PM candidates extended to Tuesday: Palace|date=21 November 2022 |publisher=CNA|access-date=21 November 2022}} Barisan Nasional announced on Tuesday, 22 November that they will not support either PH or PN in the formation of the federal government.{{cite web |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2022/11/853719/ge15-ismail-sabri-bn-wont-support-any-coalition-form-federal-govt|title=GE15: Ismail Sabri: BN won't support any coalition to form federal govt|date=22 November 2022|publisher=New Straits Times|access-date=22 November 2022}}

The royal palace stated that after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong reviewed the nominations for prime minister, he found that "no member of parliament has the majority support to be appointed prime minister", so the Yang di-Pertuan Agong summoned Anwar and Muhyiddin to meet him.{{cite news |title=No one with simple majority, King summons Anwar and Muhyiddin |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2022/11/853768/no-one-simple-majority-king-summons-anwar-and-muhyiddin |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=New Straits Times |date=22 November 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Tee |first1=Kenneth |title=Anwar, Muhyiddin arrive in Istana Negara after both called by King to decide Malaysia's next govt |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/11/22/anwar-muhyiddin-arrive-in-istana-negara-after-both-called-by-king-to-decide-malaysias-next-govt/41278 |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=Malay Mail |date=22 November 2022}} After the meeting, Muhyiddin said that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong proposed a unity government between Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan National, but Muhyiddin rejected it as Perikatan National "will not cooperate" with Pakatan Harapan. Instead, PN met some members of BN at St Regis Hotel.{{cite news |last1=Chan |first1=Dawn |title=GE15: BN asked for DPM post, sources say on BN-PN meet |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2022/11/854296/ge15-bn-asked-dpm-post-sources-say-bn-pn-meet |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=New Straits Times |date=23 November 2022}} Meanwhile, Anwar acknowledged that the prime minister had yet to be determined, while stating that "given time, I think we will secure a simple majority".{{cite news |title=PN will not cooperate with PH to form government - Muhyiddin |url=https://www.bernama.com/en/politics/news.php?id=2141284 |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=Bernama |date=22 November 2022}}{{cite news |title=GE15: No decision yet on who will be PM, says Anwar |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/11/22/ge15-no-decision-yet-on-who-will-be-pm-says-anwar |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=The Star |date=22 November 2022}}

On 23 November, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong met with BN and GPS leaders in the royal palace.{{cite news |last1=Pei Ying |first1=Pei Ying |last2=Nizam |first2=Fuad |title=GPS convoy leaves Istana Negara |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2022/11/854072/gps-convoy-leaves-istana-negara |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=New Straits Times |date=23 November 2022}} After discontent from Sarawak over GPS working with PN, GPS stated that it was up to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appoint the Prime Minister; while Parti Warisan voiced support for a government with PH and BN.{{cite news |last1=Tawie |first1=Sulok |title=GPS says it is up to the Agong to decide the next prime minister |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/11/22/gps-says-it-is-up-to-the-agong-to-decide-the-next-prime-minister/41211 |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=Malay Mail |date=22 November 2022}}{{Cite news|date=22 November 2022|work=The Borneo Post|title=Shafie: Warisan supports PH, BN to form government|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/11/22/warisan-supports-ph-bn-to-form-government/}} GRS leader Hajiji Noor stated that GRS would abide by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's wishes on forming a new government, including if a unity government is formed.{{cite news |title=GRS will abide by Agong 's decision on formation of unity govt |url=https://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2141759 |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=Bernama |date=24 November 2022}} On 24 November, Ahmad Maslan of UMNO stated that the party's supreme council has agreed to follow the wishes of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for BN to join a unity government which is not led by PN.{{cite news |last1=Basyir |first1=Mohamed |last2=Hakim |first2=Luqman |title=GE15: Umno says no to unity government with PN |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2022/11/854335/ge15-umno-says-no-unity-government-pn |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=New Straits Times |date=24 November 2022}} Considering these final decisions, PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim finally was sworn in as Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister at 5 pm MST on 24 November 2022, by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah.{{cite news |title=Anwar Ibrahim appointed as Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister |url=https://pru15.bernama.com/news-en.php?id=2141779 |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=Bernama |date=24 November 2022}}

The Deputy Works Minister Shahruddin Md Salleh of BERSATU resigned from his ministerial position on 4 June, calling his decision to join the Perikatan Nasional government "incorrect" and adding that he should have considered his constituents who "voted for Pakatan Harapan" in 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/06/04/deputy-minister-quits-post-to-address-mistake-of-joining-pn/ |title=Deputy minister quits post to address 'mistake' of joining PN |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=4 June 2020 |access-date=4 June 2020 |archive-date=4 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604093041/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/06/04/deputy-minister-quits-post-to-address-mistake-of-joining-pn/ }} On 19 July, his BERSATU membership was terminated because he issued a notice to change the position of his seat in the Dewan Rakyat from the government bloc to the opposition bloc.{{Cite web|author=Khairil Anwar Mohd Amin|date=19 July 2020|title=Bersatu pecat Ahli Parlimen Sri Gading |trans-title=Bersatu sacked Sri Gading Member of Parliament |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/92931/BERITA/Politik/Bersatu-pecat-Ahli-Parlimen-Sri-Gading|access-date=19 July 2020|website=Sinar Harian|language=ms}}

On 5 June, Member of Parliament (MP) for Lubok Antu, Jugah Muyang resigned from the PKR, a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) opposition coalition, and pledged support for the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition. Therefore, the number of the Opposition MPs dropped from 109 to 108. The next day, Jugah and Independent MP, Syed Abu Husin Hafiz, MP for Bukit Gantang visited Seri Perdana, the official residence of the prime minister to hand over their support letters to Muhyiddin, with Syed joining BERSATU as well. Also present were BERSATU MPs Senior Minister for Economy and Minister of International Trade and Industry, Azmin Ali and Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Ali Biju. It was also reported that Jugah was convinced by Azmin to support the ruling PN coalition to empower its administration.{{Cite news |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/06/05/pkr-veep-from-sarawak-quits-party-pledges-loyalty-to-muhyiddin-gps/ |title=PKR MP from Sarawak quits party, pledges loyalty to Muhyiddin, GPS |work=Free Malaysia Today |access-date=20 July 2020 |date=5 June 2020 |archive-date=27 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627222523/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/06/05/pkr-veep-from-sarawak-quits-party-pledges-loyalty-to-muhyiddin-gps/ }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2020/06/06/lubok-antu-mp-pledges-support-for-muhyiddin-pn-coalition/|title=Lubok Antu MP pledges support for Muhyiddin, PN coalition|date=6 June 2020|work=Borneo Post Online |access-date=20 July 2020}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/06/696913/jugah-keluar-pkr-ikrar-sokong-pm|title=Jugah keluar PKR, ikrar sokong PM |trans-title=Jugah exits PKR, announce support for the PM |author=Mohd Roji Kawi|date=5 June 2020|website=BH Online |access-date=20 July 2020 |language=ms}}

On 2 November 2020, Maszlee Malik left PEJUANG and became an independent in support for Pakatan Harapan. His decision to leave PEJUANG was based on factual findings through field studies and detailed surveys of the aspirations and wishes of the majority of the people.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/politik/2020/11/748946/dr-maszlee-umum-keluar-pejuang|title=Dr Maszlee umum keluar PEJUANG|date=2 November 2020}} Later, he officially became a member of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) party.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/48235/independent-no-more-pkr-confirms-maszlees-membership|title = [UPDATED] Independent no more: PKR confirms Maszlee's membership| newspaper=The Vibes |date = 26 November 2021}}

On 30 October 2021, Mohammadin Ketapi left WARISAN and became an independent in support for GRS{{Cite web|url=https://www.utusan.com.my/terkini/2021/10/mohammadin-ketapi-umum-keluar-warisan-jadi-wakil-rakyat-bebas-mesra-kerajaan-negeri-dan-persekutuan/|title = Mohammadin Ketapi umum keluar Warisan, jadi wakil rakyat Bebas mesra kerajaan negeri dan Persekutuan|date = 30 October 2021}} Later, he officially became a member of Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) party on 26 November 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/11/26/mohamaddin-now-official-bersatu-member|title = Mohamaddin Ketapi now official Bersatu member|date = 30 October 2021}}

On 8 January 2022, Larry Sng was elected president of PBM and Steven Choong became PBM senior vice-president.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/01/08/larry-sng-elected-president-of-parti-bangsa-malaysia/|title=Larry Sng elected president of Parti Bangsa Malaysia|website=Borneo Post Online|date=8 January 2022 }}

On 14 March 2022, Khairuddin Razali left PAS. He declined to disclose the reasons for his stance, other than insisting that he would be an Independent Member of Parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2022/03/933989/khairuddin-umum-keluar-pas-serta-merta|title=Khairuddin umum keluar PAS serta merta | Berita Harian|accessdate=4 April 2023}} On 20 March 2022, Khairuddin was firm in his stand and insisted that he would not join UMNO following his recent exit from PAS.[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/khairuddin-aman-razali-tidak-akan-sertai-umno-352687 Khairuddin Aman Razali tidak akan sertai UMNO]

On 30 March 2022, Masir Kujat quit PSB. He said the decision to leave PSB was made after holding discussions with grassroots supporters in his constituency as well as several other factors such as the country's political instability which affected the well-being of the people. He pledged his full support to the leadership of the then prime minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2022/03/940230/ahli-parlimen-sri-aman-umum-keluar-psb|title=Ahli Parlimen Sri Aman umum keluar PSB | Berita Harian|accessdate=4 April 2023}}

On 26 May 2022, Zuraida Kamaruddin quit BERSATU to join PBM. She met with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to discuss her resignation from the Cabinet and continued supporting Ismail's government, in line with PBM's stand.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2022/05/26/zuraida-to-quit-bersatu-join-pbm/|title=Zuraida quits Bersatu, to join PBM | Free Malaysia Today (FMT)|date=26 May 2022 |accessdate=4 April 2023}}

On 7 August 2022, Willie Mongin left BERSATU and joined PBB.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/politik/2022/08/985470/bersatu-sarawak-kecewa-willie-mongin-sertai-pbb|title=BERSATU Sarawak kecewa Willie Mongin sertai PBB | Berita Harian|accessdate=4 April 2023}}

On 1 November 2022, Jugah Muyang joined BERSATU.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/11/01/ge15-ali-biju-jugah-muyang-to-contest-on-pn-ticket/|title=GE15: Ali Biju, Jugah Muyang to contest on PN ticket|website=Borneo Post Online|date=November 2022 }}

On 3 November 2022, Che Abdullah Mat Nawi joined UMNO to compete in Tumpat Parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kosmo.com.my/2022/11/03/pru15-che-abdullah-wakil-bn-bertanding-di-parlimen-tumpat/|title=PRU15: Che Abdullah wakil BN bertanding di Parlimen Tumpat|first1=MUHAMMAD AYMAN|last1=GHAFFA|date=3 November 2022|website=kosmo.com.my}} Earlier, Che Abdullah's nomination to compete in Tumpat Parliament was not approved by the PAS Shura Ulama Council.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/229030/berita/politik/pencalonan-che-abdullah-tidak-diluluskan-majlis-syura-ulama|title=Pencalonan Che Abdullah tidak diluluskan Majlis Syura Ulama|first=HAZELEN LIANA|last=KAMARUDIN|date=3 November 2022|website=Sinar Harian}} Khairuddin Aman Razali also joined UMNO to defend his parliamentary seat.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2022/11/03/ex-pas-man-khairuddin-defending-seat-on-bn-ticket/|title=Ex-PAS man Khairuddin defending seat on BN ticket | Free Malaysia Today (FMT)|date=3 November 2022 |accessdate=4 April 2023}} Shahidan Kassim joined PAS after BN dropped him as a candidate.[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/pru15-pn-perlis-sahkan-shahidan-kassim-bertanding-di-arau-389402 PRU15: PN Perlis sahkan Shahidan Kassim bertanding di Arau] Ismail Muttalib defended his seat in the 15th general election under PN.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2022/11/03/ismail-muttalib-tanding-di-maran-atas-tiket-pn/|title=Ismail Muttalib tanding di Maran atas tiket PN | Free Malaysia Today (FMT)|date=3 November 2022 |accessdate=4 April 2023}}

File:Tommy Thomas 2019.jpg, the former Attorney General of Malaysia.]]

On 28 February, the Attorney General Tommy Thomas submitted his resignation letter to the interim Prime Minister Mahathir but no reason was given.{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysias-attorney-general-tommy-thomas-quits |title=Malaysia's Attorney-General Tommy Thomas quits |work=The Straits Times |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020}} It came after he was heavily criticised for his decision not to pursue a case against twelve Indian individuals including two state lawmakers who were accused of having connection with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which was listed as a terrorist organisation in Malaysia.{{cite news |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/71894/BERITA/Nasional/Tommy-Thomas-letak-jawatan |title=Tommy Thomas letak jawatan |work=Sinar Harian |language=ms |trans-title=Tommy Thomas resigns |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020}} He later told the media that he was a political appointee and as Mahathir resigned as the prime minister, it was best for him to tender his resignation as well.{{cite news |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/03/04/tommy-thomas-tells-why-he-resigned-as-ag/ |work=Free Malaysia Today |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020 |title=Tommy Thomas tells why he resigned as AG |archive-date=30 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330162938/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/03/04/tommy-thomas-tells-why-he-resigned-as-ag/ }}

On 2 March, the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Latheefa Koya tendered her resignation from the post. She stated that she wasn't pressured into doing so and that she wanted to return to her practice as a human rights advocate.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/06/latheefa-koya-quits-macc |title=Latheefa Koya quits MACC |date=6 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020 |work=The Star (Malaysia)}} The deputy chief commissioner of operations, Azam Baki, was appointed as the new chief commissioner on 9 March 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/utama/2020/03/552599/azam-baki-ganti-latheefa-koya |work=Harian Metro |date=9 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020 |title=Azam Baki ganti Latheefa Koya |language=ms |trans-title=Azam Baki replaces Latheefa Koya}}

The Menteri Besar of Selangor, Amirudin Shari called for a meeting with all Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) members of the legislative assembly (ADUNs) at his official residence on the morning of 24 February 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/24/report-selangor-mb-aligned-to-azmin-summons-all-pkr-state-assemblymen/1840357 |title=Report: Selangor MB, aligned to Azmin, summons all PKR state assemblymen |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=2 March 2020 |work=Malay Mail}} Amirudin is a member of PKR and was recommended by Azmin Ali for the Menteri Besar post when he was listed as a minister in the Prime Minister's cabinet. He was generally regarded as a key lieutenant in Azmin's faction of the party.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2018/06/439108/amirudin-mb-baharu-selangor |title=Amirudin MB baharu Selangor? |language=ms |trans-title=Amirudin new Selangor's MB? |work=Berita Harian |date=18 June 2018 |access-date=26 February 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3019385/malaysias-anwar-azmin-rivalry-expected-end-uneasy-truce-now-pm |work=South China Morning Post |title=Malaysia's Anwar-Azmin rivalry expected to end in 'uneasy truce', for now, as PM Mahathir Mohamad enters fray |date=20 July 2019 |access-date=26 February 2020}}{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/kedudukan-mb-selangor-bergantung-kepada-azmin-penganalisis-politik-214678?amp=1 |title=Kedudukan MB Selangor bergantung kepada Azmin - Penganalisis politik |language=ms |trans-title=Selangor's MB post depends on Azmin - political analyst |date=10 August 2019 |access-date=26 February 2020 |work=Astro Awani}}

On the morning of 25 February 2020, Amirudin sought an audience with the Sultan of Selangor, Sharafuddin of Selangor. He was also joined by Amanah's Selangor chairman, Izham Hashim and DAP's Selangor chairman, Gobind Singh Deo. The Sultan was satisfied with their explanation that the political development in federal level will not affect the incumbent Pakatan Harapan coalition in government of Selangor and consented for it to operate as usual.{{cite news |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2020/02/568901/selangor-still-ph-government |title='Selangor still a PH government' |work=New Straits Times |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020}}

On 5 March 2020, Amirudin announced a purge of BERSATU leaders and members from all positions of the state administration.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/03/05/selangor-mb-bersatu-booted-out-of-state-administration/1843628 |title=Selangor MB: Bersatu booted out of state administration |date=5 March 2020 |access-date=5 March 2020 |work=Malay Mail}}

On 13 June 2020 Dr Daroyah Alwi, Deputy Speaker & EXCO, announced that she had quit the PKR party and became an independent assemblyman in support of the Perikatan Nasional coalition. She came out on the grounds that he had "lost confidence in the President (Anwar Ibrahim) and his harpist leadership of the idealism of the struggle".{{Cite news|author=Ruwaida Md Zain|date=13 June 2020|title=Dr Daroyah Alwi bawa 35 pemimpin, akar umbi keluar PKR |trans-title=Dr Daroyah Alwi brings 35 leaders, grassroots to leave PKR |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/06/699913/dr-daroyah-alwi-bawa-35-pemimpin-akar-umbi-keluar-pkr |access-date=8 July 2020 |work=BH Online |language=ms}} On 29 June, PKR Women's chief & EXCO, Hanizah Talha was sacked from PKR, stripping her from Selangor State Executive Council position. She has described PKR's decision to sack her from the party as an "act of revenge".{{Cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/06/29/pkr-confirms-sacking-of-five-leaders-including-womens-chief-haniza-talha/1879717 |title=PKR confirms sacking of five leaders including Women's chief Haniza Talha |first=Kenneth|last=Tee|work=Malay Mail |date=29 June 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/532284|title=Haniza describes her sacking as an 'act of revenge'|date=29 June 2020|work=Malaysiakini |access-date=20 July 2020}}{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/khidmat-haniza-mohamed-talha-sebagai-exco-selangor-berakhir-hari-ini-250660 |title=Khidmat Haniza Mohamed Talha sebagai exco selangor berakhir hari ini |trans-title=Haniza Mohamed Talha's services as Selangor's exco ends today |language=ms |work=Astro Awani |date=10 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |via=Bernama}} Ahmad Mustain Othman, Sabak assemblyman, was sacked from Amanah on 28 July, for allegedly breaching party disciplinary rules.{{cite news |title=Amanah boots Sabak rep Ahmad Mustain Othman out over disciplinary breach |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/07/28/amanah-boots-sabak-rep-ahmad-mustain-othman-out-over-disciplinary-breach/1888788 |author=Danial Dzulkifly |date=28 July 2020 |access-date=6 August 2020 |work=Malay Mail}}

On 8 August 2020, Jeram assemblyman announced his exit from PPBM. He said he will now be an independent who will back former PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Shaid also claimed his exit will be followed by the majority of the PPBM Kuala Selangor division members, including various heads of branches.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/08/08/jeram-assemblyman-quits-ppbm-will-back-dr-ms-new-party/|title=Jeram assemblyman quits PPBM, will back Dr M|date=8 August 2020|access-date=8 August 2020|archive-date=13 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913055621/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/08/08/jeram-assemblyman-quits-ppbm-will-back-dr-ms-new-party/}}

On 16 November 2020, Meru assemblyman announced his exit from Amanah and join PKR.{{Cite web|last=Asyraf|first=Faisal|date=2020-11-16|title=Amanah confirms Meru rep Fakhrulrazi has joined PKR|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/551062|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Malaysiakini|language=en}} Sabak assemblyman also join PKR after being fired from Amanah.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-16|title=Selangor assemblyman joins PKR after sacking by Amanah|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/11/16/selangor-assemblyman-joins-pkr-after-sacking-by-amanah/|access-date=2020-11-16|website=Free Malaysia Today|language=en-GB|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116125839/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/11/16/selangor-assemblyman-joins-pkr-after-sacking-by-amanah/}}

On 8 January 2022, Daroyah Alwi and Hanizah Talha join PBM.{{Cite news|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/606119|title = Pemimpin, Adun Bersatu 'lompat' ke Parti Bangsa Malaysia| newspaper=Malaysiakini |date = 8 January 2022}} Daroyah Alwi said she was attracted to join PBM because the party had a clear direction and goal of the struggle.{{Cite web|url=https://premium.sinarharian.com.my/article/180312/fokus/semasa/adun-sementa-dedah-punca-sertai-pbm|title = ADUN Sementa dedah punca sertai PBM|date = 10 January 2022}}

On 23 January 2022, Teratai assemblymen Lai Wai Chong join WARISAN.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/608032|title=Warisan kini ada Adun di Selangor lepas penyertaan bekas pemimpin DAP|date=23 January 2022|website=Malaysiakini}}

{{see also|2022 Johor state election}}

The Sultan of Johor, Ibrahim Ismail of Johor ordered all 56 members of the legislative assembly to meet him on 26 February.{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/node/548763/amp |title=Sultan Johor minta ADUN buat pilihan |work=Harian Metro |language=ms |trans-title=The Sultan of Johor asks ADUNs to make a choice |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020}} The assembly session that was scheduled to be held on 5 March was postponed as a result.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/sidang-dun-johor-yang-dijadual-5-mac-ditangguh-speaker-231887 |title=Sidang DUN Johor yang dijadual 5 Mac ditangguh - Speaker |trans-title=Johor Legislative Assembly sitting scheduled to be held on 5 March is postponed |work=Astro Awani |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |language=ms}} All the assemblypersons were asked to sign SD to state their preference whether to form a new coalition government or to allow Pakatan Harapan to continue governing the state.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/02/659887/bersatu-muafakat-nasional-peroleh-majoriti-mudah-bentuk-kerajaan-di |title=BERSATU, Muafakat Nasional peroleh majoriti mudah bentuk kerajaan di Johor |work=Berita Harian |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |language=ms |trans-title=Bersatu, Muafakat Nasional gain simple majority to form government in Johor}}

On 27 February 2020, the private secretary to the Sultan, Jaba Mohd Noah, announced that a new coalition will govern the state after gaining a simple majority of 28 assemblymen against 26 who supported Pakatan Harapan.{{cite news |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/71699/KHAS/Peralihan-Kerajaan/Kerajaan-gabungan-baharu-di-Johor |title=Kerajaan gabungan baharu di Johor |work=Sinar Harian |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |language=ms |trans-title=New coalition government in Johor}} Two assemblymen, BERSATU's Mazlan Bujang and Amanah's Salahuddin Ayub failed to state their preference as they did not meet the Sultan as ordered.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/02/660615/ph-johor-kaji-tindakan-selepas-isu-pm-selesai |title=PH Johor kaji tindakan selepas isu PM selesai |language=ms |trans-title=PH Johor to think of action after PM issue ends |work=Berita Harian |date=29 February 2020 |access-date=2 March 2020}} The new coalition was slated to consist of MLAs from BERSATU, UMNO, MIC, PAS and several others whose party allegiance were not mentioned.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/umno-bersatu-bentuk-kerajaan-negeri-johor-231942?amp=1 |title=UMNO, Bersatu bentuk kerajaan negeri Johor |language=ms |trans-title=UMNO, Bersatu forms Johor state government |work=Astro Awani |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020}} However, a day later Pakatan Harapan challenged the new coalition's claim of majority control and stated that it too had the support of 28 assemblymen, including Salahuddin Ayub and PKR assemblyman Chong Fat Full who was rumoured to have been one of 28 assemblymen that signed a SD in support of the new coalition. The new Menteri Besar of Johor, Hasni Mohammad from UMNO, was sworn in on the evening of 28 February in front of the Sultan at Istana Bukit Serene, Johor Bahru.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/hasni-mohammad-angkat-sumpah-mb-johor-232053?amp |title=Hasni Mohammad angkat sumpah MB Johor |language=ms |trans-title=Hasni Mohammad take the oath as Johor's MB |work=Astro Awani |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=28 February 2020}} On 4 March, PKR assemblyman from Pemanis, Chong Fat Full formally announced his exit from his party to become a Perikatan-friendly independent, thus resulting in Perikatan Nasional effectively controlling 29 seats in the state assembly against Harapan's 27.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/513241 |title=PKR rep quits, gives Perikatan majority in Johor |work=MalaysiaKini |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=4 March 2020}}

On 14 May 2020, the Johor state assembly convened. Sultan Ibrahim Ismail addressed the assembly and called on politicians not to create a "virus" of divisiveness and discord that would infect the rest of the country in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sultan also reminded all assemblymen to set a good example by maintaining decorum and discipline, in contrast to the disruptions in the Perak and Malacca assemblies earlier in the week.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/15/unite-for-the-people-johor-ruler-tells-politicians |title=Unite for the people, Johor Ruler tells politicians |work=The Star (Malaysia) |date=15 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/14/johor-sultan-warns-of-virus-that-will-infect-politicians-and-divide-the-pub/1866020 |title=Johor Sultan warns of 'virus' that will infect politicians and divide the public |work=Malay Mail |date=14 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020}} Earlier, on 11 May, Johor Pakatan Harapan announced that they cancelled a no confidence motion in the Menteri Besar in response to the Sultan's plea, and Speaker Suhaizan Kayat of Amanah remained in his position amid earlier reports of his removal by the Perikatan government.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/11/johor-pakatan-cancels-tabling-no-confidence-vote-against-mb-after-sultan-ca/1865188 |title=Johor Pakatan cancels tabling no-confidence vote against MB after Sultan cautioned against 'disruption' |work=Malay Mail |date=11 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020}} On 3 June, following new reports of Pakatan Harapan plotting to retake control of the state government, Sultan Ibrahim threatened to dissolve the assembly and hold a new election.{{cite news |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/06/597619/johor-sultan-warns-state-assembly-dissolution-if-power-struggle-continues |title=Johor Sultan warns of state assembly dissolution if power struggle continues |work=New Straits Times |date=3 June 2020 |access-date=4 June 2020}}

On 28 August 2020, Chong Fat Full joins BERSATU.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/08/27/johor-exco-member-dr-chong-fat-full-joins-bersatu|title=Johor exco member Dr Chong Fat Full joins Bersatu | The Star|website=www.thestar.com.my}}

On 4 September 2020, Osman Sapian BERSATU membership has been voided with immediate effect after he was spotted stumping for Pejuang during the 2020 Slim by-election campaign period.{{Cite web|last=Ramlan|first=Yasmin|date=2020-09-04|title=Ex-Johor MB loses Bersatu membership ahead of state assembly sitting|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/541304|access-date=2020-09-04|website=Malaysiakini|language=en}} However at same time BERSATU Secretary-General Hamzah Zainudin says, Osman Sapian still remains a member of BERSATU. He said for now, Osman would only be called to answer charges regarding allegations of helping the Independent candidate campaign in the recent Slim State Assembly (DUN) by-election (PRK), and no action has yet been taken.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2020/09/617160/osman-sapian-masih-ahli-bersatu-setiausaha-agung|title=Osman Sapian masih ahli Bersatu- Setiausaha Agung|date=4 September 2020|website=HM Online}} He died on 21 December 2021 at the age of 69 from the complications of the stroke he suffer earlier.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/12/22/ex-johor-mb-osman-sapian-passes-away-at-70|author=Mohd Farhaan Shah|title=Ex-Johor MB Osman Sapian passes away|url-status=live|access-date=22 December 2021|website=The Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222044930/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/12/22/ex-johor-mb-osman-sapian-passes-away-at-70 |archive-date=22 December 2021 }}

On 27 February 2021, three Amanah assemblyman from Senggarang, Serom, and Mahkota joined PKR.{{Cite web|last=Halim|first=M. Fakhrull|date=2021-02-27|title=3 lagi Adun dari Amanah sertai PKR|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/564597|access-date=2021-02-27|website=Malaysiakini|language=ms}}

After Osman Sapian died on 21 December 2021, speculation arises about Johor state election should be held due to government seats only 28 left while Pakatan Harapan seats 27 in the state assembly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/179782/BERITA/Politik/PRN-di-Johor|title = PRN di Johor?|date = 25 December 2021}}

On 18 January 2022, Pakatan Harapan rejects Johor state elections and bargains on 'Stability Commitment'[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/pembangkang-johor-tolak-prn-tawar-komitmen-kestabilan-342310 pembangkang johor tolak prn tawar komitmen kestabilan] Astro Awani

On 22 January 2022, Menteri Besar of Johor Hasni Mohammad said Johor will see the implementation of State Elections in the near future.{{Cite web|url=https://www.utusan.com.my/nasional/2022/01/sah-prn-johor-tidak-lama-lagi-mb/|title = PRN Johor dalam masa terdekat - MB|date = 22 January 2022}} Sultan Ibrahim Ismail agreed to sign the dissolution letter of the Johor State Assembly effective today to make way for the State Election, to be held.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2022/01/914471/sultan-johor-perkenan-bubar-dun-johor|title = Sultan Johor perkenan bubar DUN Johor|date = 22 January 2022}}

On 23 January 2022, Johor state assembly Speaker Suhaizan Kayat of Amanah signing the Letter and Proclamation of the dissolution of the Johor state assembly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/01/23/johor-speaker-to-officially-inform-ec-on-dissolution-of-state-assembly-on-sunday-jan-23|title = Johor Speaker to officially inform EC on dissolution of state assembly on Sunday (Jan 23)}}

On 27 January 2022, Mazlan Bujang announced that he resigned as Division Chairman of BERSATU of Tebrau and himself as well as 23 Tebrau BERSATU branch chairmen and action committee members decided to leave the party and throw their support behind Barisan Nasional (BN) and the leadership of Menteri Besar of Johor Hasni Mohammad with immediate effect to "give way to a more stable political environment and for the betterment of the Johor people in general".{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/01/27/mazlan-bujang-quits-bersatu-with-immediate-effect|title=Mazlan Bujang quits Bersatu with immediate effect|website=The Star}} He also claimed that he would carry on to serve the people without a political position and failure of the two previous Menteris Besar from Pakatan Harapan (PH) to lead the Johor state administration and the failure of both parties to nominate a better Johor Menteri Besar candidate as well as he felt disrespected of his removal as Johor BERSATU Chairman and did not send any representative to the meetings he had chaired even though Muhyiddin had signed his promotion letter as the reasons as well. Muhyiddin then lashed out at Mazlan by asking where is his honour and sarcastically asked him to bring 200000 members to leave BERSATU as well.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/01/27/where-is-your-honour-muhyiddin-asks-after-mazlan-quits-bersatu|title=Where is your honour, Muhyiddin asks after Mazlan quits Bersatu|website=The Star}}

On 29 January 2022, Larkin assemblyman Izhar Ahmad quit BERSATU. He said one of the main reasons he resigned was that he had lost confidence in party president Muhyiddin Yassin. He will no longer contest in the Larkin state constituency or in any other constituency, however, will join UMNO.[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/prn-johor-mohd-izhar-umum-keluar-bersatu-wakil-rakyat-kedua-selepas-mazlan-bujang-344205 prn johor mohd izhar umum keluar] Astro Awani

On 27 February 2022, Najib Lep's membership in PAS was automatically revoked following his contest as an Independent candidate in the seat in the Johor State Election. PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Najib's decision was against the party's directives and decisions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/612309|title=PAS pecat Najib Lep lepas tanding calon bebas|date=27 February 2022|website=Malaysiakini}} Najib Lep said PAS's decision to transfer him to another seat seemed to want to kill his political career even after showing excellent service as the party's sole elected representative for the past four years.[https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2022/03/01/pindah-kerusi-ibarat-pas-bunuh-karier-politik-saya-kata-bekas-adun-bukit-pasir/ Pindah kerusi ibarat pas] Free Malaysia Today

On 6 March 2022, Johor Lama assemblyman Rosleli Jahari said that he has left BERSATU and will be requesting to rejoin UMNO. Rosleli, who was not selected as a candidate to defend his seat, said that he has lost confidence in BERSATU, its president Muhyiddin Yassin and his administration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/03/06/former-bn-rep-who-defected-to-bersatu-in-2018-wants-return-to-umno-after-dr/2045767|title=Former BN rep who defected to Bersatu in 2018 wants return to Umno after dropped as candidate | Malay Mail|first=Ben|last=Tan|website=www.malaymail.com|date=6 March 2022 }}

On 12 March 2022, Barisan Nasional won a two-thirds majority of 40 seats in the Johor State Legislative Assembly.

On 14 March 2022, Speculation had spread regarding the appointment of the new Johor Menteri Besar after Barisan Nasional was declared the winner of the state election. The speculation followed the call by Benut assemblyman, Hasni Mohammad for BN to choose young people to lead Johor, even though he was previously appointed as the party's Menteri Besar candidate. Rumors are rife that there are other names who have also been nominated as the new Menteri Besar of Johor. Among them are the names Onn Hafiz Ghazi and Dr. Mohd. Puad Zarkashi.{{Cite web|url=https://www.utusan.com.my/nasional/2022/03/siapa-mb-johor/|title = Siapa MB Johor?|date = 14 March 2022}}

On 15 March 2022, Onn Hafiz Ghazi was sworn as Menteri Besar Johor in on the evening of 28 February in front of the Sultan at Istana Bukit Serene, Johor Bahru.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2022/03/15/sah-onn-hafiz-mb-johor-ke-19/|title=Sah…Onn Hafiz MB Johor ke-19 | Free Malaysia Today (FMT)|date=15 March 2022 |accessdate=4 April 2023}}

On 18 October 2022, Najib Lep joined UMNO.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kosmo.com.my/2022/10/18/pru15-najib-lep-sertai-umno/|title=PRU15: Najib Lep sertai UMNO|first1=KHAIRUL MOHD|last1=ALI|date=18 October 2022|website=kosmo.com.my}}

{{Expand section|date=October 2021|small=no}}

{{see also|2021 Malacca state election}}

In Malacca, the legislative assembly was caught in a deadlock as both Pakatan Harapan and the opposition Barisan Nasional held 13 seats each after BERSATU left the then-ruling coalition.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/ph-13-bn-13-parti-mana-tadbir-melaka-231814 |title=PH 13, BN 13, parti mana tadbir Melaka? |language=ms |trans-title=PH 13, BN 13, which party will govern Malacca? |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=Astro Awani}} The Chief Minister of Malacca, Adly Zahari met the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Malacca, Mohd Khalil Yaakob on 26 February to brief him on the current political situation.{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2020/02/548688/dua-exco-melaka-tidak-hadir-mesyuarat |title=Dua EXCO Melaka tidak hadir mesyuarat |language=ms |trans-title=Two Malacca's EXCO absent from meeting |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=Harian Metro}} On 27 February, the state government announced in a press conference that they will preserve the status quo and will continue to operate as usual.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/video-malaysia/malaysia2020-kerajaan-negeri-melaka-kekal-1835927 |title=#Malaysia2020: Kerajaan Negeri Melaka kekal |language=ms |trans-title=#Malaysia2020: Malacca state government unchange |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=Astro Awani}} However, the assembly session that was scheduled to be held on 6 March was postponed.{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2020/02/549005/melaka-tangguh-sidang-dun |title=Melaka tangguh sidang DUN |language=ms |trans-title=Malacca postpone legislative assembly sitting |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020 |work=Harian Metro}}

On 2 March 2020, Barisan Nasional's Malacca state chairman, Abdul Raouf Yusof attended a meeting with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/umno-melaka-jumpa-tyt-hari-ini-232296?amp |title=UMNO Melaka jumpa TYT hari ini |language=ms |trans-title=Malacca's UMNO meet the TYT today |work=Astro Awani |date=2 March 2020 |access-date=2 March 2020}} In a press conference held in the evening, he confirmed that Pakatan Harapan had lost their majority in the legislative assembly and Perikatan Nasional will form a new government. The new coalition government had the support of 17 state assemblymen.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/pakatan-harapan-tumbang-di-melaka-perikatan-nasional-tubuh-kerajaan-232308?amp |title=Pakatan Harapan tumbang di Melaka, Perikatan Nasional tubuh kerajaan |language=ms |trans-title=Pakatan Harapan collapse in Malacca, Perikatan Nasional form government |work=Astro Awani |date=2 March 2020 |access-date=2 March 2020}} On the same day, Adly Zahari met with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri and suggested that the state assembly be dissolved and to trigger a state election in accordance with Article 7 (4) of the state constitution, but Adly's suggestion was rejected.{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/node/550425/amp |title=Adly cadang bubar DUN |language=ms |trans-title=Adly suggest to dissolve the state assembly |work=Harian Metro |date=2 March 2020 |access-date=2 March 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/72263/KHAS/Peralihan-Kerajaan/TYT-Melaka-tolak-cadangan-bubar-DUN|title=TYT Melaka tolak cadangan bubar DUN|date=2 March 2020|access-date=2 March 2020|work=Sinar Harian |language=ms |trans-title=The TYT of Malacca reject suggestion to dissolve the state assembly}}

On 3 March 2020, Adly held a press conference, in which he stated that he did not resign from his post. However, he was informed that he was no longer chief minister and was dismissed on the previous evening.{{cite news|url=https://malaysiakini.com/news/513052|title=Adly sacked as CM, to embark on 'Save Malacca' roadshow|date=3 March 2020|access-date=3 March 2020|work=Malaysiakini|archive-date=5 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505214328/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/513052}} The new chief minister of Malacca, Sulaiman Md Ali from UMNO was sworn in on the evening of 9 March 2020.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/sulaiman-md-ali-angkat-sumpah-ketua-menteri-melaka-ke-12-232991 |title=Sulaiman Md Ali angkat sumpah Ketua Menteri Melaka ke-12 |language=ms |trans-title=Sulaiman Md Ali take the oath as the 12th Chief Minister of Malacca |work=Astro Awani |date=9 March 2020 |access-date=9 March 2020}}

On 11 May 2020, the state assembly convened and the Perikatan administration moved a motion of no confidence in Speaker Omar Jaafar of PKR, which led to heated verbal exchanges and insults between both sides of the assembly. Example included PN Independent MP Norhizam Hassan Baktee shouting "babi" ("pig") repetitively to DAP representative Low Chee Leong in response to the latter's "pengkhianat" ("traitor") remark.{{cite web|url=https://says.com/my/news/video-melaka-changes-state-speaker-after-assemblymen-s-heated-traitor-babi-brawl|title=Melaka Changes State Speaker After Assemblymen's Heated 'Pengkhianat' And 'Babi' Brawl|author=Yap Wan Xiang|date=12 May 2020|agency=Says.com}} The Speaker adjourned the sitting. Later, the assembly reconvened with only Perikatan assemblymen and declared Ab Rauf Yusoh of UMNO as the new Speaker.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/11/pn-reconvenes-melaka-state-assembly-after-appointing-own-speaker-without-op/1865067 |title=PN reconvenes Melaka state assembly after appointing own Speaker, without opposition |work=Malay Mail |date=11 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020}} The ousted speaker said Malacca Pakatan Harapan is contesting the legality of the new Speaker's appointment.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/11/omar-jaafar-says-received-verbal-notice-he-is-no-longer-melaka-speaker-after-chaotic-one-day-sitting |title=Omar Jaafar says received verbal notice he is no longer Melaka Speaker after chaotic one-day sitting |work=The Star (Malaysia) |date=11 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020}}

On 2 January 2021, Muhammad Jailani Khamis joined UMNO.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-02|title=ADUN Rembia sertai UMNO|url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/117285/BERITA/Politik/ADUN-Rembia-sertai-UMNO|access-date=2021-01-02|website=Sinarharian|language=ms}}

On 4 October 2021, Four Malacca assemblymen declared that they have lost confidence in Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali's leadership. The assemblymen are former Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron, Nor Azman Hassan, Norhizam Hassan Baktee and Noor Effandi Ahmad. Idris said the move was due to a series of decisions not implemented by the state government, which he added portrayed Malacca as a 'flip flop' state.[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/four-melaka-assemblymen-declare-loss-confidence-chief-ministers-leadership-323471 Four melaka assemblymen declare loss of confidence] State UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh said the membership of Idris Haron and Nor Azman Hassan in UMNO was automatically dropped after being involved in the movement to overthrow the existing Malacca State Government.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/165105/BERITA/Politik/Keahlian-Idris-Nor-Azman-dalam-UMNO-gugur|title=Keahlian Idris, nor Azman dalam UMNO gugur|date=4 October 2021}} UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi proposed that the Malacca State Assembly be dissolved to make way for state elections to be held. The state elections will also give the people of the state the opportunity to elect a new government in the future.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kosmo.com.my/2021/10/04/zahid-cadang-pilihan-raya-negeri-di-melaka/|title = Zahid cadang Pilihan Raya Negeri di Melaka|date = 4 October 2021|website=kosmo.com.my}}

On 5 October 2021, Idris Haron says Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders should have the opportunity to take over the Malacca state government. The former Chief Minister said there was no need for the state election to be held as the 15th general election would be held in a year and a half. He said he personally rejected UMNO's proposal to hold a State Election (PRN) to resolve the state's political crisis. He, however, left the issue to the discretion of the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Mohd Ali Rustam to decide whether the State Legislative Assembly should be dissolved or elect a new Chief Minister from among the PH leaders.[https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2021/10/05/beri-peluang-ph-tadbir-melaka-tak-perlu-prn-kata-idris-haron/ Free Malaysia Today] 5 October 2021 On the same day Malacca Assembly speaker disclosed that Malacca Chief Minister, Sulaiman Md Ali, took steps to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly starting 4 October 2021, in an effort to resolve the political crisis in the state. The dissolution of the Melaka state assembly was made after Sulaiman lost the majority of support, following the actions of four state assemblymen from the government bloc, withdrawing support for his leadership yesterday. The decision to dissolve the state assembly was made after the proposal submitted by Sulaiman received the approval of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Mohd Ali Rustam.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2021/10/872674/dun-melaka-bubar-pilihan-raya-dalam-tempoh-60-hari|title='DUN Melaka bubar, pilihan raya dalam tempoh 60 hari'|date=5 October 2021}} In a separate press conference, PN Malacca chief Rafiq Naizmohideen announced immediate loss of Noor Effandi Ahmad's membership in BERSATU. The declaration was made due to his apparent cooperation with PH by being together with PH in a previous press conference on 4 October.{{cite AV media |title=[LANGSUNG] Sidang media Pengerusi Perikatan Nasional Melaka, Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohidee |publisher=Astro AWANI |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaDHnGa_PvQ|access-date=2021-10-05 |via=YouTube}}

On 18 October 2021, Idris Haron, Nor Azman Hassan, Norhizam Hassan Baktee and Noor Effandi Ahmad join PH.Idris Haron join PKR and Nor Azman Hassan join Amanah.{{Cite web|url=https://malaysiagazette.com/2021/10/18/empat-adun-sertai-ph-melaka/|title = Empat ADUN sertai PH Melaka|date = 18 October 2021}}

On 20 November 2021, Barisan Nasional won a simple majority of 21 seats in the Malacca State Legislative Assembly.

On 21 November 2021, Melaka DAP chairman Tey Kok Kiew resigns. He took responsibility for the DAP's defeat of half of the eight state assembly seats contested in the election and he also apologized for PH's failure to form a state government.{{Cite web|url=https://www.utusan.com.my/terkini/2021/11/pengerusi-dap-melaka-letak-jawatan/|title = Pengerusi DAP Melaka letak jawatan|date = 21 November 2021}}

On 26 November 2021, Melaka Perikatan Nasional and BERSATU chairman Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen resigns. He said the decision was made to allow new leadership in the state BERSATU and PN in preparation for the 15th general election.[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/mohd-rafiq-umum-letak-jawatan-dalam-bersatu-pn-melaka-332943 Mohd Rafiq umum letak] Astro Awani

On 28 November 2021, BERSATU deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu said two BERSATU assemblymen continue to support the Malacca state government.[https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2021/11/28/2-adun-pn-kekal-sokong-kerajaan-bn-di-melaka-kata-peja/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=5wnpfRyXGDcDPshvGsUcSQocPELVIXQjq5xbw18jOE0-1638196370-0-gaNycGzNCP0 Adun PN Kekal sokong] Free Malaysia Today 28 November 2021

On 19 May 2022, Noor Effandi Ahmad join Amanah.[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/bekas-adun-melaka-noor-effandi-sertai-amanah-362088 Bekas adun Melaka Noor Effandi] Astro Awani

On 30 October 2022, Rafiq quits BERSATU. He was upset over seat distribution for the 15th general election.[https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2022/10/897807/mohd-rafiq-umum-keluar-bersatu Mohd Rafiq umum keluar Bersatu] Hmetro October 2022 On 16 February 2023, Rafiq rejoin UMNO.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2023/02/1065526/mohd-rafiq-sahkan-sertai-semula-umno|title=Mohd Rafiq sahkan sertai semula UMNO | Berita Harian|accessdate=4 April 2023}}

In Kedah, the Menteri Besar of Kedah, Mukhriz Mahathir sought an audience with the Sultan of Kedah, Sallehuddin of Kedah on the morning of 27 February.{{cite news |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/71678/KHAS/Peralihan-Kerajaan/Mukhriz-menghadap-Sultan-Kedah |title=Mukhriz menghadap Sultan Kedah |language=ms |trans-title=Mukhriz to have an audience with the Sultan of Kedah |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=Sinar Harian}} Mukhriz is the fifth child of Mahathir Mohamad, and a member of BERSATU, which had exited the incumbent coalition Pakatan Harapan.{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/muhyiddin-registers-mahathirs-new-party|title=Muhyiddin registers Mahathir's new party|work=Straits Times|date=10 August 2016|access-date=27 September 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/mukhriz-sedia-ikut-jejak-tun-mahathir-212448?amp=1 |title=Mukhriz sedia ikut jejak Tun Mahathir |language=ms |trans-title=Mukhriz ready to follow Mahathir's footsteps |work=Astro Awani |date=11 July 2019 |access-date=28 February 2020}} The Sultan consented to allowing Mukhriz to continue as the Menteri Besar after 19 Pakatan Harapan lawmakers announced their support for him despite the political situation at the federal level.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/pentadbiran-kerajaan-negeri-kedah-kekal-mukhriz-231892?amp |title=Pentadbiran kerajaan negeri Kedah kekal - Mukhriz

|language=ms |trans-title=Kedah state government unchange - Mukhriz |date=27 February 2020 |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=Astro Awani}}

On 12 May, two PKR assemblymen representing Sidam and Lunas left the party citing lack of confidence in Anwar and an alleged purge of grassroots members aligned towards Azmin as their reasons, to become independents friendly towards Perikatan Nasional.{{cite news| url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/12/pkr039s-sidam-rep-cites-loss-of-confidence-in-anwar-for-leaving-party |title=PKR's Sidam rep cites loss of confidence in Anwar for leaving party |date= 12 May 2020 |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=The Star (Malaysia)}} Later in the day, Kedah state opposition leader Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor announced the formation of a new government with the support of 23 state assemblymen including the two ex-PKR members and four of six BERSATU assemblymen previously aligned with Pakatan Harapan.{{cite news|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/12/kedah-opposition-leader-announces-formation-of-perikatan-state-govt-collaps/1865438| title=Kedah Opposition leader announces formation of Perikatan state govt, collapse of Pakatan and Mukhriz's reign as MB |date=12 May 2020 |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=Malay Mail}}{{cite news| url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/12/kedah-pas-says-23-reps-have-lost-confidence-in-mukhriz |title=Kedah PAS says 23 reps have lost confidence in Mukhriz| date=12 May 2020 |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=The Star (Malaysia)}}

On 13 May, Mukhriz appeared in a press conference with his exco members from Pakatan Harapan and insisted that his administration was still intact. He insisted that he will remain in control until the Kedah palace notifies him, or with a no confidence vote in the state assembly.{{cite news| url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/kedah-kerfuffle-continues-as-mukhriz-mahathir-claims-he-is-still-in-charge-of-state |work=The Straits Times |title=Kedah kerfuffle continues as Mukhriz claims he is still in charge of state, but PAS says has majority support| date=13 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020}} Two days later, Kedah's assemblymen from both Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional were granted audience with the Sultan to resolve the issue.{{cite news| url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/15/mukhriz-unwise-for-switch-in-kedah-govt-now-priority-should-be-peoples-welf/1866324 |title=Mukhriz: Unwise for switch in Kedah govt now; priority should be people's welfare| date=15 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020 |work=Malay Mail}}{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/node/578771/amp |title=Mukhriz mengadap Sultan Kedah |trans-title=Mukhriz to have audience with the Sultan of Kedah |date=15 May 2020 |access-date=15 May 2020 |work=Harian Metro |language=ms}} On 17 May, Mukhriz resigned, conceding that he had lost the confidence of the assembly.{{cite news |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/ampArticle/83869 |title=Mukhriz lepas jawatan MB Kedah berkuat kuasa serta-merta |trans-title=Mukhriz left Kedah's MB post effective immediately |language=ms |date=17 May 2020 |access-date=19 May 2020 |work=Sinar Harian}} Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor of PAS was sworn in as the new Menteri Besar on the evening.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/05/689883/sanusi-angkat-sumpah-jawatan-mb-kedah-ke-14 |title=Sanusi angkat sumpah jawatan MB Kedah ke-14 |trans-title=Sanusi takes oath as Kedah's 14th MB |language=ms |date=17 May 2020 |access-date=19 May 2020 |work=Berita Harian}}

On 6 September, Azman Nasrudin and Robert Ling Kui Ee joined BERSATU.[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/azman-robert-ling-kini-adun-bersatu-258218 Azman Robert Ling Kini Adun Bersatu]

On 30 October 2022 Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi was sacked from AMANAH, the component party of PH opposition coalition, he became an independent Kedah MLA, disqualifying him from holding the position as State Leader of the Opposition of Kedah, he was replaced with Johari Abdul, the Gurun MLA from another component party of PH, the People's Justice Party (PKR).{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/10/31/pkr039s-johari-abdul-is-new-kedah-opposition-leader|title=PKR's Johari Abdul is new Kedah Opposition leader|website=The Star|date=31 October 2022|access-date=31 October 2022}}

On 27 February 2020, an UMNO representative from the opposition had an audience with the Sultan of Perak, Nazrin Shah of Perak and later revealed that the Sultan stated that any coalition which can prove that they have at least 30 seats in the state assembly will be able to form a government.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/sultan-mahu-bukti-ada-sekurang-kurangnya-30-kerusi-bentuk-kerajaan-umno-perak-232138?amp=1 |title=Sultan mahu bukti ada sekurang-kurangnya 30 kerusi, bentuk kerajaan - UMNO Perak |language=ms |trans-title=The Sultan wants proof of at least 30 chairs to form government - UMNO |date=29 February 2020 |access-date=3 March 2020 |work=Astro Awani}} The incumbent Menteri Besar of Perak, BERSATU's Ahmad Faizal Azumu then hinted that there will be a new state government, and articulated his hope that he would continue as Menteri Besar under the new government.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/kerajaan-baharu-perak-ikut-acuan-putrajaya-ahmad-faizal-232221?amp=1 |title=Kerajaan baharu Perak ikut acuan Putrajaya - Ahmad Faizal |language=ms |trans-title=New Perak government will follow Putrajaya's mold - Ahmad Faizal |date=1 March 2020 |access-date=3 March 2020 |work=Astro Awani}} On 3 March 2020, he informed the media that he had been ordered to see the Sultan at Istana Iskandariah in the afternoon.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/03/661514/ahmad-faizal-dititah-menghadap-sultan-perak |title=Ahmad Faizal dititah menghadap Sultan Perak |language=ms |trans-title=Ahmad Faizal ordered to see the Sultan of Perak |date=3 March 2020 |access-date=3 March 2020 |work=Berita Harian}}

In a press conference held on 9 March 2020, Faizal confirmed that a new state government made up of twenty five assemblymen from UMNO, three from PAS and four from BERSATU was being formed.{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/ph-terkubur-di-perak-32-adun-bentuk-kerajaan-baharu-232970?amp |title=PH terkubur di Perak, 32 ADUN bentuk kerajaan baharu |language=ms |trans-title=PH 'died' in Perak, 32 ADUNs form new government |date=9 March 2020 |access-date=9 March 2020 |work=Astro Awani}} He tendered his resignation on the next day to formalise the dissolution of the Perak State Executive Council.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/politik/2020/03/663813/ahmad-faizal-letak-jawatan-mb-perak |title=Ahmad Faizal letak jawatan MB Perak |language=ms |trans-title=Ahmad Faizal resigns as Perak's MB |date=10 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020 |work=Berita Harian}} He was subsequently reappointed as the Menteri Besar of Perak by the Sultan and was sworn in on the evening on 13 March 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/13/ahmad-faizal-azumu-appointed-perak-mb-for-the-second-time |title=Ahmad Faizal Azumu appointed Perak MB for the second time |date=13 March 2020 |work=The Star (Malaysia) |access-date=13 March 2020}}

On 12 May 2020, speaker of the Perak state legislative assembly Ngeh Koo Ham announced in a speech to the assembly that he would be resigning as speaker after an attempt by Menteri Besar Faizal to launch a motion of no-confidence against him. During the speech, he stated that attempts to replace him as speaker should not be done through threats, referencing Faizal's attempted motion of-no confidence against him. State government assemblymen had previously tried to persuade Ngeh to vacate the position before the state assembly convened.{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/05/12/ngeh-resigns-as-perak-speaker |title=Ngeh resigns as Perak Speaker |date=12 May 2020 |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=The Star (Malaysia)}}{{cite news|url=https://www.therakyatpost.com/2020/05/12/what-happened-at-the-kedah-perak-state-assemblies-today/ |title=What Happened At The Kedah & Perak State Assemblies Today |date=12 May 2020 |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=The Rakyat Post}}

On 26 July 2020, Buntong assemblymen, Sivasubramaniam Athinarayanan announced joining Gerakan after being sacked from DAP, however he joined BERSATU last December, but his membership was only reported 5 March 2021. Perak Gerakan chairman, See Tean Seng, said his party was not informed about the matter, either by BERSATU or Sivasubramaniam.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2021/03/05/gerakan-tidak-menahu-wakil-rakyat-tunggalnya-menyertai-sekutunya-ppbm/|title=Gerakan tidak tahu wakil rakyat tunggalnya sertai sekutunya, PPBM|first=Shaq|last=Ismail|date=5 March 2021|access-date=5 March 2021|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305073310/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2021/03/05/gerakan-tidak-menahu-wakil-rakyat-tunggalnya-menyertai-sekutunya-ppbm/}}

On 29 July 2020, Hasnul Zulkarnain joined BERSATU because of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's beliefs. However, on 23 March 2021 he was sacked from BERSATU due to his actions in supporting Perak UMNO chairman Saarani Mohamad as Perak Menteri Besar.

On 4 December 2020, Faizal lost a confidence vote, ending his term as Menteri Besar of Perak {{Cite news|last=Yi|first=Ng Xiang|date=2020-12-04|title=Faizal Azumu loses MB confidence vote|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/553752|access-date=2020-12-04|website=Malaysiakini|language=en}}

On 5 December 2020, Faizal resigned as Menteri Besar of Perak.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/113457/BERITA/Politik/Ahmad-Faizal-umum-letak-jawatan-MB-Perak|title=Ahmad Faizal umum letak jawatan MB Perak|first=Normawati|last=Adnan|date=5 December 2020|website=Sinarharian}}

On 10 December 2020, the new Menteri Besar of Perak, Saarani Mohammad from UMNO, was sworn in during the morning.[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/educationist-menteri-besar-272468 Menteri Besar]

On 18 January 2021, Leong Cheok Keng was sacked by party DAP.

On 5 March 2021, Sivasubramaniam Athinarayanan and Paul Yong Choo Kiong join BERSATU.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2021/03/671223/tronoh-and-buntong-assemblymen-now-bersatu|title=Tronoh and Buntong assemblymen now with Bersatu | New Straits Times|first=Zahratulhayat Mat|last=Arif|date=5 March 2021|website=NST Online}}

On 8 January 2022, Sivasubramaniam Athinarayanan, Paul Yong Choo Kiong, and Leong Cheok Keng join PBM. Cheok Keng said he chose PBM because this party is truly a multi-racial party and not like other parties that claim to be multi-racial but only dominated by certain races.[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/3-adun-perak-sah-sertai-pbm-340773 Adun Perak Sah Sertain PBM]

On 23 January 2022, Menteri Besar of Perak Saarani Mohamad said There is no need to dissolve the state assembly because the state government has strong support including from the Pakatan Harapan. He said therefore it was different from the political situation in Johor with the government having a slim majority.[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/tiada-keperluan-bubar-dun-perak-menteri-besar-343183 Tiada Keperluan bubar dun perak menteri kesar] Astro Awani

On 28 September 2022, Sivasubramaniam Athinarayanan rejoin BERSATU.{{cite web | url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/28/buntong-rep-sivasubramaniam-rejoins-bersatu | title=Buntong rep Sivasubramaniam rejoins Bersatu }}

On 3 November 2022, Leong Cheok Keng announced that he had quitted PBM and will participate in the 2022 Perak state election under WARISAN.{{Cite web |title=GE15: Leong Cheok Keng quits PBM, to defend Malim Nawar seat under Warisan |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/11/03/ge15-leong-cheok-keng-quits-pbm-to-defend-malim-nawar-seat-under-warisan |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=The Star }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On 4 March, Afif Bahardin from PKR resigned from his position in Penang State Executive Council.{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/azmin-ally-afif-quits-as-penang-exco/ar-BB10IuvS |title=Azmin ally Afif quits as Penang exco |work=MSN |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=4 March 2020}} He stated that he was pressured by the party's state and central leadership to resign from his post.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/04/i-was-pressured-to-resign-as-exco-claims-dr-afif |title=I was pressured to resign as exco, claims Dr Afif |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020 |work=The Star (Malaysia)}} Afif is a known supporter of Azmin Ali while the latter was still the party's deputy president.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/04/afif-bahardin-forced-to-resign-from-state-govt |title=Afif Bahardin forced to resign from state govt |date=4 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020 |work=The Star (Malaysia)}} PKR's Norlela Ariffin was appointed as the new state councillor and was sworn in on 12 March in front of the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Abdul Rahman Abbas.{{cite news |url=https://www.nst.com.my/node/573040/amp |work=New Straits Times |title=PKR's Norlela Ariffin replaces Penang exco Afif Bahardin |date=9 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020}}{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2020/03/553835/dr-norlela-angkat-sumpah |title=Dr Norlela angkat sumpah |language=ms |trans-title=Dr Norlela sworn in |date=12 March 2020 |access-date=13 March 2020 |work=Harian Metro}}

On 23 May, two BERSATU state representatives withdrew their support for the Harapan government of Penang following their appointments by the federal government to the Penang Regional Development Authority (under the Rural Development Ministry) and MARA's investment arm Mara Corp Sdn Bhd's board of advisors.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/05/23/two-bersatu-reps-in-penang-withdraw-support-for-pakatan/1868908 |work=Malay Mail |title=Two Bersatu reps in Penang withdraw support for Pakatan |date=23 May 2020 |access-date=28 May 2020}} On 28 May, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced that the state government will table a motion at the next state legislative assembly sitting to compel the two BERSATU representatives, along with Afif who was suspended from PKR on 3 May, to vacate their seats. At that time, Penang is the only state in Malaysia that has legislation which prohibits switching of parties for elected representatives under Section 14A of the Penang Constitution.{{cite news |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/05/28/penang-ph-in-bid-to-vacate-seats-of-pn-crossovers/ |work=Free Malaysia Today |title=Penang PH in bid to vacate seats of PN crossovers |date=28 May 2020 |access-date=28 May 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608063616/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/05/28/penang-ph-in-bid-to-vacate-seats-of-pn-crossovers/ }} The law also allows the assembly to declare the seats vacant via a motion carried by a majority of the House if the representatives do not resign. However, it is a controversial law and had been previously ruled as unconstitutional by the Federal Court in 1992.{{cite news |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2020/05/595960/penang-table-motion-compel-2-reps-relinquish-their-state-seats |work=New Straits Times |title=Penang to table motion to compel 2 reps to relinquish their state seats |date=28 May 2020 |access-date=28 May 2020}}

On 24 June, Afif announced his departure from PKR and joined forces with BERSATU. On 4 July, Zulkifli Ibrahim was sacked from PKR. He declared that he is joining Perikatan Nasional on the same day. He insisted that the PKR disciplinary committee should have summoned him for investigations before making any decisions.

{{See also|2020 Sabah state election}}

On 15 June 2020, two UPKO assemblymen representing Kuala Penyu and Sugut left the party citing Sabah state government is not in line with the Federal Government and become independents friendly towards Perikatan Nasional.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/politik/2020/06/700487/dua-adun-upko-umum-keluar-parti |title=Dua ADUN UPKO umum keluar parti |author=Rafiqah Dahali |date=15 June 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |work=Berita Harian |trans-title=Two UPKO MLAs announce departure from party |language=ms}}

On 29 July 2020, former Sabah Chief Minister, Musa Aman claimed to have a simple majority to form a new PN government in Sabah. In a special afternoon press conference, he said, the new Perikatan Nasional coalition involved several parties, namely UMNO, Parti Pribumi BERSATU Malaysia (BERSATU), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti BERSATU Sabah (PBS). He also said the Minister of Home Affairs, Hamzah Zainudin and the Political Secretary to the Prime Minister paid a courtesy call on the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin in the morning. Speculation rose in recent weeks that changes will take place in the Sabah government.{{cite news |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/2020/07/29/musa-aman-dakwa-raih-majoriti-mudah-bentuk-kerajaan-baru-di-sabah/ |title=Musa Aman dakwa raih majoriti mudah bentuk kerajaan baru di Sabah |trans-title=Musa Aman claims gaining simple majority to form a new government in Sabah |language=ms |author=Durie Rainer Fong |date=29 July 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020 |work=Free Malaysia Today |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812004738/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/2020/07/29/musa-aman-dakwa-raih-majoriti-mudah-bentuk-kerajaan-baru-di-sabah/ }}{{cite news |url=http://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/musa-aman-dakwa-dapat-sokongan-majoriti-bentuk-kerajaan-sabah-baharu-253259 |title=Musa Aman dakwa dapat sokongan majoriti bentuk kerajaan Sabah baharu |trans-title=Musa Aman claims he receives the majority support to form new Sabah government |work=Astro Awani |author=Ruzaini Zulkepli |date=29 July 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020 |language=ms}}{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/utama/2020/07/605185/kerajaan-warisan-sabah-tumbang |title=Kerajaan Warisan Sabah tumbang |trans-title=Sabah's Warisan government collapse |language=ms |work=Harian Metro |author=Rafiqah Dahali |date=29 July 2020 |access-date=5 August 2020}}

On 30 July 2020, Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal said Sabah governor Juhar Mahiruddin has consented to the dissolution of the state assembly, paving the way for a snap election in the state. This follows claims by former chief minister Musa Aman who said that he had the numbers needed to form a new state government. The announcement also followed talk that Musa was heading to the state palace to be sworn in as chief minister today. Musa said yesterday that he had received statutory declarations from a number of assemblymen from various parties confirming their support for a new alliance he was leading. A total of 73 seats will be up for contest following the addition of 13 new seats endorsed in Parliament last year. He said he could seek the governor's consent to dissolve the state assembly as he was still chief minister.{{cite news|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/07/30/shafie-seeks-dissolution-of-sabah-assembly/|title=Snap election for Sabah as state assembly dissolved|work=Free Malaysia Today|date=30 July 2020|access-date=30 July 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806165239/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/07/30/shafie-seeks-dissolution-of-sabah-assembly/}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2020/07/612753/sabah-state-legislative-assembly-dissolved|title=Sabah state Legislative Assembly dissolved|work=New Straits Times|date=30 July 2020|access-date=30 July 2020}}

Nominated Sabah assemblyman Ronnie Loh Ee Eng was sacked from DAP for supporting the Perikatan Nasional (PN) attempt to topple the Warisan-led Sabah government.{{cite news| url= https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/07/30/dap-sacks-sabah-rep-ronnie-loh-for-defecting|title= DAP sacks Sabah rep Ronnie Loh for defecting |author=Sharon Ling|work=The Star Online|date=30 July 2020|access-date=1 August 2020}} Inanam assemblyman & Sabah PKR Vice Chairman, Kenny Chua Teck Ho were sacked from PKR for backing Musa.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2020/07/30/pkr-sacks-inanam-assemblyman-kenny-chua/|title= PKR sacks Inanam assemblyman Kenny Chua |date=30 July 2020|work=Borneo Post|access-date=30 July 2020}} On 31 July, 5 assemblymen representing Tanjong Batu, Balung, Pitas, Kuamut, & Sebatik was sacked from Warisan. Loretto Padua, Warisan Secretary General says "In this case they are considered to have joined forces with Musa Aman and conspired to overthrow the Warisan government."{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/node/605738/amp? |title=Mereka berkomplot guling kerajaan Warisan, keahlian gugur |trans-title=They conspired to overthrow the Warisan government, their membership was dropped |language=ms |date=31 July 2020|access-date=4 August 2020 |work=Harian Metro}} Paginatan assemblyman & UPKO Vice President, Abidin Madingkir was sacked from UPKO for allegedly being involved with former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman to take over the state government.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/08/01/upko-sacks-vice-president-abidin-for-supporting-musa |title=UPKO sacks vice-president Abidin for supporting Musa |work=The Star Online|date=1 August 2020|access-date=1 August 2020}}

On 16 August 2020, James Ratib joined UMNO.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/08/16/amir-khusyairi-mohamad-tanusi|title=Ex-Upko rep James Ratib seen at Umno event | The Star|website=www.thestar.com.my}}

On 2 September 2020, Abd. Muis Picho joined BERSATU.{{Cite web|url=https://www.utusanborneo.com.my/2020/09/02/bersatu-sabah-yakin-menang-banyak-kerusi|title=BERSATU Sabah yakin menang banyak kerusi|date=2 September 2020|website=www.utusanborneo.com.my}}

On 26 September 2020, Perikatan Nasional won a simple majority of 38 seats in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, and replacing the Warisan-led Sabah government with the Perikatan Nasional-led Sabah government.{{Cite web|last1=Tee|first1=Kenneth|last2=Loheswar|first2=R.|last3=Razak|first3=Radzi|title=Sabah Election 2020: Official final tally — GRS secures 38 seats to Warisan's 32 {{!}} Malay Mail|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/09/26/live-sabah-election-2020-all-polling-stations-are-now-closed/1907005|access-date=2020-10-16|website=www.malaymail.com|date=26 September 2020 |language=en}} The new chief minister of Sabah is Hajiji Noor of BERSATU.{{Cite web|title=Hajiji being sworn in as 16th Sabah CM {{!}} The Star|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/09/29/hajiji-being-sworn-in-as-16th-sabah-cm|access-date=2020-10-16|website=www.thestar.com.my}}

On 25 February 2021, Sebatik assemblyman, Hassan A. Gani Pg. Amir exited Warisan. The reason he left is because the party is no longer prioritizing the well-being of the people and only focused on politics.{{Cite web|url=http://www.utusan.com.my/berita/2021/02/adun-sebatik-tinggalkan-warisan-sokong-grs/|title=ADUN Sebatik Tinggalkan Warisan, Sokong GRS|first=Media|last=Mulia|date=25 February 2021}} On 6 April 2021, he joined BERSATU.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/04/05/sebatik-rep-joins-bersatu-after-quitting-warisan/1964068|title=Sebatik rep joins Bersatu after quitting Warisan | Malay Mail|first=Julia|last=Chan|website=www.malaymail.com|date=5 April 2021 }}

On 10 March 2021, Pitas assemblyman, Ruddy Awah joined BERSATU.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-20|title=Pitas assemblyman joins Bersatu|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2021/03/20/pitas-assemblyman-joins-bersatu/|access-date=2021-03-20|website=Borneo Post Online|language=en-US}}

On 3 October 2021, Sindumin assemblyman, Yusof Yacob exited Warisan. Yusof, who is also WARISAN's Information Chief, decided to leave the party due to be disappointed with WARISAN's struggle which is losing direction.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2021/10/871731/adun-sindumin-keluar-warisan|title=ADUN Sindumin keluar WARISAN|first=Izwan|last=Abdullah|date=3 October 2021|website=Berita Harian}}

On 30 October 2021, Mohammadin Ketapi left WARISAN and became independent in support for GRS. He officially became a member of Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) party on 26 November 2021. However, on 28 June 2022, he left BERSATU and became independent again in support for BN and GRS ruling coalitions after joining it only seven months prior.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/06/28/mohammadin-ketapi-quits-bersatu-after-only-six-months|title=Mohammadin quits Bersatu after only six months|website=The Star|date=28 June 2022}}

On 28 December 2021, Limbahau assemblyman Juil Nuatim and Melalap assemblyman Peter Anthony left WARISAN and would be forming a new local political party based in Sabah that would align with the ruling GRS coalition on 28 January 2022.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/melalap-assemblyman-peter-anthony-quits-warisan|title=Melalap assemblyman Peter Anthony quits Warisan|date=28 December 2021|website=The Edge Markets|access-date=31 January 2022|archive-date=29 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229120552/https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/melalap-assemblyman-peter-anthony-quits-warisan|url-status=dead}}

On 20 January 2022, Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong and Sri Tanjong assemblyman Justin Wong left DAP but carry on aligning themselves with the PH opposition coalition.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/01/20/three-dap-leaders-quit/|title=Three DAP leaders in Sabah quit|website=Borneo Post Online|date=20 January 2022 }}

On 26 March 2022, Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong and Sri Tanjong assemblyman Justin Wong join Warisan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/194809/BERITA/Politik/Dua-bekas-ADUN-DAP-Sabah-sertai-Warisan|title = Dua bekas ADUN DAP Sabah sertai Warisan|date = 26 March 2022}}

On 22 May 2022, Yusof Yacob confirmed his return to UMNO.{{cite web | url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/05/22/former-warisan-rep-yusof-confirms-returning-to-umno | title=Former Warisan rep Yusof confirms returning to Umno }}{{Cite web |title=Former Warisan rep Yusof confirms returning to Umno |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/05/22/former-warisan-rep-yusof-confirms-returning-to-umno |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=The Star |language=en}}

On 5 June 2022, Kukusan MLA Rina Jainal left WARISAN and joined PHRS on the same day.{{cite web| url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/06/05/kukusan-rep-rina-jainal-quits-warisan-joins-parti-harapan | title=Kukusan rep Rina Jainal quits Warisan, joins Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah}}

On 28 August 2022, Segama MLA and Lahad Datu MP Mohamaddin Ketapi joined PBM.{{Cite web |last=ASMIN |first=ASYIKIN |date=2022-08-28 |title=Ahli Parlimen Lahad Datu sertai PBM |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/218619/berita/politik/ahli-parlimen-lahad-datu-sertai-pbm |access-date=2022-08-28 |website=Sinar Harian |language=ms}}

On 21 October 2022, State Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister and Bandau MLA Wetrom Bahanda left BERSATU and joined KDM on the same day.{{cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2022/10/842643/bandsau-assemblyman-wetrom-leaves-bersatu-joins-kdm-contest-kota-marudu|title=Bandau assemblyman Wetrom leaves Bersatu, joins KDM to contest Kota Marudu seat|website=New Straits Times|date=21 October 2022|access-date=26 October 2022}}

On 10 December 2022, The leadership of BERSATU Sabah announced its exit from the party and will form a new local party. BERSATU Sabah Chairman Hajiji Noor said the “unanimous decision” by BERSATU Sabah leaders to leave the party is based on the premise that the status quo is “no longer tenable”.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2022/12/10/sabah-bersatu-collapses-as-hajiji-other-leaders-quit/|title=Sabah Bersatu collapses as Hajiji, other leaders quit | Free Malaysia Today (FMT)|date=10 December 2022 |accessdate=4 April 2023}}

On 21 February 2023, Yusof Yacob, along with other 8 MLAs support Hajiji. At the same time, Yusof Yacob, James Ratib, Jasnih Daya, Arshad Bistari, Hamid Awang, Mohammad Mohamarin, Ben Chong and Norazlinah joined PGRS.{{Cite web |url=https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/lima-adun-sabah-keluar-umno-umum-sertai-gagasan-rakyat-dipimpin-hajiji-407568|title=Lima adunSabah Keluar |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=www.astroawani.com}}

On 27 February 2023, Awang Ahmad Sah Awang Shaari left WARISAN and joined GAGASAN.{{cite web | url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/247257/berita/politik/adun-petagas-pula-keluar-warisan | title=ADUN Petagas pula keluar Warisan | date=27 February 2023 }}

On 4 March 2023, Karamunting MLA George Hiew Vun Zin left WARISAN for GAGASAN.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/03/04/one-more-warisan-rep-leaves-to-back-hajiji|title=One more Warisan rep leaves to back Hajiji|website=The Star|date=4 March 2023|accessdate=4 March 2023}}

On 21 May 2023, Juil Nuatim resigned from KDM and support GRS.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/05/21/sabah039s-pkdm-deputy-chief-quits-to-go-independent|title=Sabah's PKDM deputy chief quits to go independent|website=The Star|date=21 May 2023|accessdate=21 May 2023}}

On 10 July, Rahang assemblyman, Mary Josephine, announced that she is quitting DAP, as well as resigning from all her positions in the political party.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/07/10/dap-rahang-assemblyman-mary-josephine-quits-party |title=DAP Rahang assemblyman Mary Josephine quits party |work=The Star (Malaysia) |date=10 July 2020 |access-date=23 July 2020 |author=Sarban Singh}} She said the decision was made after she could no longer face the challenges and pressures from the state DAP leadership. She added that she would continue to support Pakatan Harapan as an independent politician.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/07/709335/dakwa-kecewa-dengan-pemimpin-dap-punca-mary-josephine-keluar-parti |title=Dakwa kecewa dengan pemimpin DAP punca Mary Josephine keluar parti |trans-title=Allegedly disappointed with DAP leaders, the reason why Mary Josephine left the party |author=Mohd Amin Jalil |date=10 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |work=Berita Harian |language=ms}} She had since retracted her decision and rejoined the party on 20 July.{{cite news |url=https://www.utusan.com.my/nasional/politik/2020/07/mary-josephine-mahu-kembali-kepada-dap/ |work=Utusan Malaysia |title=Mary Josephine mahu kembali kepada DAP |trans-title=Mary Josephine wants to return to DAP |language=ms |author=Badrul Hafizan bin Mat Isa |date=20 July 2020 |access-date=23 July 2020}}

On 5 September 2021, a group of 4 PKR assemblypersons and other 11 PKR members representing state PKR declared their loss of faith in Negeri Sembilan MB, Aminuddin Harun, in his capacity as Negeri Sembilan PKR chief.{{Cite web|title=PKR reps, N Sembilan grassroots leaders lose faith in MB as state party chief|url=https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/pkr-rep-n-sembilan-grassroots-014900987.html|access-date=2021-09-06|website=malaysia.news.yahoo.com|date=6 September 2021 }} Among the reasons cited was "failure to strengthen the party" and the risk of losing the next general election.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-06|title=Negri chapter tumult will be top agenda at PKR leaders' meet: Fahmi|url=https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/40711/negri-chapter-tumult-will-be-top-agenda-at-pkr-leaders-meet-fahmi|access-date=2021-09-06|website=The Vibes}}

On 18 September 2018, Mustapa Mohamed quit UMNO and become an independent Member of Parliament and state assembly. He said the decision was made as he felt that the party's current direction is no longer in line with the political principles he upheld.[https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/mustapa-mohamed-umum-keluar-umno-185920 Mustapa Mohamed umum Keluar] Asro Awani On 27 October 2018 he joined BERSATU. Mustapa said he joined the party as he is confident that BERSATU would be able to serve his constituents better.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2018/10/27/former-umno-strongman-mustapa-mohamad-now-a-ppbm-member/1687109|title=Former Umno strongman Mustapa Mohamed now a PPBM member|first=Danial|last=Dzulkifly|website=www.malaymail.com|date=27 October 2018 }}

Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional secured every seat in the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly, leaving it without an opposition.

UMNO Terengganu state chief Ahmad Said has claimed that there was no cooperation between the party and the PAS led Terengganu government, be it through PN or Muafakat Nasional pact set up before the crisis{{cite web |title='Tiada kerjasama antara UMNO dan Pas di Terengganu' - Ahmad Said |url=https://www.astroawani.com/berita-politik/tiada-kerjasama-antara-umno-dan-pas-di-terengganu-ahmad-said-308690 |website=Astro Awani |access-date=6 September 2021}}

On 22 January 2022, UMNO Kelantan state chief Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub said he decided to no longer be with PAS Kelantan through Muafakat Nasional (MN). UMNO made the decision following PAS Kelantan which is still cooperating with BERSATU and still chose the party to face the 15th General Election 15.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2022/01/914510/umno-kelantan-putus-hubungan-dengan-pas-negeri|title=UMNO Kelantan putus hubungan dengan PAS negeri|first=Hidayatidayu|last=Razali|date=22 January 2022|website=Berita Harian}} PAS Kelantan state chief and Menteri Besar of Kelantan Ahmad Yakob said PAS Kelantan hopes that the relationship with UMNO will continue.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2022/01/803065/pas-kelantan-harap-hubungan-dengan-umno-terus-kekal-metrotv|title=Pas Kelantan harap hubungan dengan Umno terus kekal [METROTV]|first=Hidayatidayu|last=Razali|date=23 January 2022|website=Harian Metro}}

In the 2018 election, Ismail Kassim was nominated as a candidate for Menteri Besar by Perlis BN after retaining his seat but when the plan did not go through, he decided to quit UMNO to become first Perlis independent state assemblyman.{{cite news|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/politik/2018/06/439453/ismail-kassim-keluar-umno|title=Ismail Kassim keluar UMNO|author=Dziyaul Afnan Abdul Rahman|publisher=Berita Harian|date=20 June 2018 |access-date=20 Jun 2018}} He later applied to join People's Justice Party (PKR) instead but the application was never reported to be approved.{{cite news|url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/07/07/perlis-crisis-figure-ismail-kassim-to-join-kedah-pkr/|title=Perlis crisis figure Ismail Kassim to join Kedah PKR|author=Adam Abu Bakar |publisher=Berita Harian|date=July 7, 2018|access-date=July 7, 2018}} Ismail finally announced he had joined Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) in August 2019. However, the then secretary-general of BERSATU, Marzuki Yahya denied his participation after Marzuki claimed that he had never received the party's participation form from the Tambun Tulang assemblyman.{{cite news|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2019/08/510056/tambun-tulang-rep-confirms-joining-bersatu|title=Tambun Tulang rep confirms joining Bersatu|author= Kalbana Perimbanayagam|publisher=New Straits Times|date=4 August 2019|access-date=5 August 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/486664|title=Shahidan's brother Ismail joins Bersatu|publisher=Malaysiakini|date=4 August 2019|access-date=5 August 2019}} He rejoin UMNO on 16 May 2020 after his application to join UMNO approved.{{Cite web|title=Adik Shahidan Kassim kembali kepada UMNO|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/politik/2020/05/689414/adik-shahidan-kassim-kembali-kepada-umno|last=Rahman|first=Oleh Dziyaul Afnan Abdul|date=2020-05-16|website=BH Online|language=ms|access-date=2020-05-16}}

On 14 April 2020, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How was sacked from PKR, leaving PKR with no representation in Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2020/04/14/pkr-sacks-see-chee-how/|title=PKR sacks See Chee How|date=14 April 2020 |work=Borneo Post Online |language=en-US |access-date=14 April 2020}} On 27 July, Padungan assemblyman and Sarawak DAP vice-chairman Wong King Wei has announced his resignation from DAP with immediate effect, saying he was disillusioned with its direction and management. He claimed the party has deviated from the aims, objectives and struggle of the earlier days when he joined in 2006.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/07/27/sarawak-dap-vice-chief-quits-party-cites-disillusionment-with-leadership/1888376 |title=Sarawak DAP vice-chief quits party, cites disillusionment with leadership |author=Sulok Tawie |date=27 July 2020 |access-date=6 August 2020 |work=Malay Mail}} With the assemblyman's resignation, PH lost its status as largest opposition party. Wong Soon Koh from PSB took over as opposition leader on 9 November 2020.{{cite news |title=Wong Soon Koh now the opposition leader in Sarawak |url=https://thenewsarawak.com/wong-soon-koh-now-the-opposition-leader-in-sarawak/ |access-date=21 November 2020 |agency=The New Sarawak |date=9 November 2020 |archive-date=19 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219165326/https://thenewsarawak.com/wong-soon-koh-now-the-opposition-leader-in-sarawak/ |url-status=dead }}

With the entry of Ali Biju on 23 August 2020, BERSATU/Perikatan Nasional was for the first time represented in the Assembly.{{cite news |title=Ali Biju, Mongin join Bersatu |url=https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/ali-biju-mongin-join-bersatu/ |access-date=21 November 2020 |agency=New Sarawak Tribune |date=23 August 2020 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129044906/https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/ali-biju-mongin-join-bersatu/ |url-status=dead }}

On 21 December, Julau MP Larry Sng stepped down as Sarawak PKR chairman. His reason for stepping down was to let a Dayak leader take over the post and lead the party in the Sarawak state election which is due in June next year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/12/21/julau-mp-larry-sng-to-quit-as-sarawak-pkr-chairman|title=Julau MP Larry Sng to quit as Sarawak PKR chairman | The Star|website=www.thestar.com.my}}

On 14 August 2022, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How resigned from PSB.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/08/14/sarawak-speaker-batu-lintang-rep-see-chee-how-has-resigned-from-psb/22753|title=Sarawak Speaker: Batu Lintang rep See Chee How has resigned from PSB|date=14 August 2022|website=Malay Mail}} On 16 August 2022, See Chee How hold a press conference. He explained that he had wanted to leave PSB for a long time. His decision was not related to the provisions of the law prohibiting elected representatives from changing parties as approved in Parliament recently. Whether he wants to establish a new party or join another party, Chee How said, that matter is not in his plans at the moment.{{Cite web|url=https://tvstv.my/2022/08/16/sudah-lama-saya-mahu-keluar-psb-sedia-lihat-notis-perundangan-oleh-bekas-parti-chee-how/|title="Sudah lama saya mahu keluar PSB, sedia 'lihat' notis perundangan oleh bekas parti," - Chee How|date=16 August 2022}}

While leaving the headquarters after a meeting on 1 March 2020,{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/01/pkr-remains-intact-azmin039s-supporters-possibly-blameless-says-anwar |title=PKR remains intact, Azmin's supporters possibly blameless, says Anwar |date=1 March 2020 |access-date=20 March 2020 |work=The Star (Malaysia)}} members who were associated with the former deputy president Azmin Ali, such as the vice-president Tian Chua and the former party's youth wing deputy chief Afif Bahardin, was harassed and assaulted by PKR supporters. Both were accused of being "traitors". Police later revealed that one arrest had been made in relation to the incident involving Chua, with at least two reports were lodged.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/03/01/tian-chua-dr-afif-heckled-and-labelled-traitors-by-pkr-supporters/1842380 |title=Tian Chua, Dr Afif heckled and labelled 'traitors' by PKR supporters |date=1 March 2020 |access-date=1 March 2020 |work=Malay Mail}}

A large number of grassroots members of PKR have left the party since the political crisis started. Three PKR Kelantan branch leaders announced that they were leaving the party on 26 February after Azmin and Zuraida Kamaruddin, the party's vice president, were sacked from their positions and expelled.{{cite news |url=https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/512349 |title=Tiga ketua cabang PKR Kelantan isytihar keluar parti |language=ms |trans-title=Three Kelantan PKR branch leaders announces leaving the party |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=21 March 2020 |work=MalaysiaKini}} Around 2,000 members from the Pasir Puteh branch left the party on 28 February, stating that they were disappointed with the party's leadership.{{cite news |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/node/549609/amp |title=2,000 ahli PKR Pasir Puteh keluar parti |work=Harian Metro |language=ms |trans-title=2,000 PKR Pasir Puteh members left the party |date=29 February 2020 |access-date=20 March 2020}} 536 members from the Kota Raja branch also left the party on 1 March, citing that they no longer believed in the party's direction.{{cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/node/661111/amp |title=563 ahli PKR Cabang Kota Raja keluar parti |language=ms |trans-title=563 Kota Raja PKR branch members left the party |work=Berita Harian |date=1 March 2020 |access-date=20 March 2020}} On 2 March, around 400 members of PKR in Perak also left the party, arguing that the party had lost its focus on nation building and was only focused on the transition of power to the party's president, Anwar Ibrahim.{{cite news |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/72266/BERITA/Politik/Ahli-PKR-Perak-keluar-parti-berjemaah |title=Ahli PKR Perak keluar parti 'berjemaah' |language=ms |trans-title=Perak PKR members left the party 'together' |date=2 March 2020 |access-date=20 March 2020 |work=Sinar Harian}} This was later followed by the exit of 500 members from the Arau and Padang Besar branches on 15 March. They too cited that they had lost confidence with the party's leadership under Anwar.{{cite news |url=https://www.bernama.com/bm/politik/news.php?id=1821535 |title=500 ahli PKR Cabang Arau dan Padang Besar keluar parti |language=ms |trans-title=500 Arau PKR branch members left the party |work=Bernama |date=15 March 2020 |access-date=21 March 2020}}

On 17 May, PKR Srikandi Keadilan Chief, Nurainie Haziqah Shafii, exits the party. The decision was taken after she has lost confidence on the direction of PKR at this time.{{Cite news |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/83953/BERITA/Politik/Ketua-Srikandi-PKR-keluar-parti |title=Ketua Srikandi PKR keluar parti |trans-title=PKR's Srikandi leader left the party |author=Mohammad Fairuz Jumain |date=17 May 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |language=ms |work=Sinar Harian}} On 21 June, a further 50 Johor PKR women leader members exit the party after losing faith in the party's top leadership.{{Cite news |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/88861/BERITA/Politik/50-pimpinan-Wanita-PKR-Johor-umum-keluar-parti |title=50 pimpinan Wanita PKR Johor umum keluar parti |trans-title=50 Johor PKR Women's wing leaders announce leaving the party |author=Nor Azura Md Amin |date=21 June 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |language=ms |work=Sinar Harian}} The next day, 25 PKR grassroots leaders of the Saratok branch exit the party citing loss of confidence in the party as their reasons.{{Cite news |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/531333 |title=Pemimpin cabang PKR pernah diterajui Ali Biju umum keluar parti |trans-title=PKR branch leaders led by Ali Biju announced leaving the party |date=22 June 2020 |access-date= 20 July 2020 |language=ms |work=Malaysiakini}} On 27 June, 19 Jelebu branch PKR Committee members exit the party after claiming to have lost faith in the PKR leadership.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/politik/2020/06/704672/19-ajk-pkr-jelebu-keluar-parti |title=19 AJK PKR Jelebu keluar parti |trans-title=19 PKR Jelebu committee members exits party |author=Abnor Hamizam Abd Manap |date=27 June 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |language=ms |website=BH Online}}

On 1 July, Terengganu PKR women chef, Sharifah Norhayati Syed Omar Alyahya exit PKR along with 131 other members. The decision was made after seeing injustice in the party's top leadership.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2020/07/706324/ketua-wanita-pkr-terengganu-keluar-parti |title=Ketua Wanita PKR Terengganu keluar parti |trans-title=Terengganu PKR Women's leader left party |author=Nurul Fatihah Sulaini |date=1 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |language=ms |work=BH Online}} On 11 July, almost 100 Anak Muda Keadilan (AMK) Port Dickson members exit PKR, paralyzing the AMK branch of Port Dickson. The action was taken as they believe the party was weakening and is unable to win seats in the next general election.{{Cite news |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/91716/BERITA/Politik/AMK-Cabang-PD-lumpuh-hampir-100-ahli-keluar-parti |title=AMK Cabang PD lumpuh, hampir 100 ahli keluar parti |trans-title=PD branch AMK paralysed, almost 100 members left the party |author=Sarinah Mat Kasim |language=ms |date=11 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |work=Sinar Harian}} On 15 July, Jempol PKR branch chief, Karip Mohd Salleh along with 25 other members exit party resulting in the dissolution of the branch is. The decision was made after each of them had lost faith in the party leadership in navigating the leadership ranks either at the federal or state levels.{{Cite news |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/92332/BERITA/Politik/Ketua-PKR-Cabang-Jempol-isytihar-keluar-parti |title=Ketua PKR Cabang Jempol isytihar keluar parti |trans-title=Jempol branch PKR leader announce leaving the party |author=Norafidah Assan |language=ms |date=15 July 2020 |access-date=20 July 2020 |work=Sinar Harian}} On 25 July 721 members of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Tebrau Branch exit party after claiming to have lost faith in the party leadership.{{cite news |url=https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/93972/BERITA/Politik/721-ahli-umum-keluar-PKR-2500-lagi-didakwa-bakal-menyusul |title=721 ahli umum keluar PKR, 2,500 lagi didakwa bakal menyusul |author=Zulhisham Isahak |date=25 July 2020 |access-date=6 August 2020 |trans-title=721 members announce leaving PKR, another 2,500 more allegedly to follow |language=ms |work=Sinar Harian}}

{{Expand section|date=September 2021}}

Following the resignation of Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia's stock market FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI on 24 February dropped to its lowest point since 2011.{{cite news |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/24/malaysias-stock-market-closes-at-41.14-points-today-lowest-in-nine-years-am/1840470 |title=Malaysia's stock market drops by 41.4 points at close today, lowest in nine years, amid crisis in govt |work=Malay Mail |author=Opalyn Mok |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=17 May 2020}} The Ringgit also weakened against US dollar, traded at 4.22, their lowest in months.{{cite news |url=https://www.thesundaily.my/business/ringgit-falls-to-422-against-us-dollar-BA2046146 |title=Ringgit falls to 4.22 against US dollar |work=The Sun Daily |date=24 February 2020 |access-date=17 May 2020}} However, the market bounced back on the next day, trading at 0.78% higher on mid-day.{{cite news |url=https://www.thesundaily.my/business/klci-makes-rebound-after-opening-lower-JB2047803 |title=KLCI makes rebound after opening lower |work=The Sun Daily |date=25 February 2020 |access-date=17 May 2020}}

The ringgit fell to a one-year low at the news of Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation, and the stock market slipped.

{{Further|COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia|2020 Tablighi Jamaat COVID-19 hotspot in Malaysia}}{{Excerpt|Issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia#Failure to contain the Tabligh cluster amidst a political crisis}}

Media outlets have noted the considerable involvement of Abdullah of Pahang in the political crisis. The Monarchies of Malaysia generally have minimal involvement in the country's politics, and some commentary suggesting it may pave the way for Abdullah, or monarchy itself, to have greater political influence in future.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-28|title=Why the monarchy is the big winner from Malaysia's political crisis|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3146611/why-monarchy-big-winner-malaysias-political-crisis|access-date=2021-09-14|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Malaysia politics reflects growing influence of King Abdullah|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Comment/Malaysia-politics-reflects-growing-influence-of-King-Abdullah|access-date=2021-09-14|website=Nikkei Asia|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|date=2021-08-19|title=Monarchy reshaped as Malaysia's king looks to end political turmoil|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/monarchy-reshaped-malaysias-king-looks-end-political-turmoil-2021-08-19/|access-date=2021-09-16|website=Reuters|language=en}} The Guardian described Abdullah's appointment of Muhyiddin, overturning of the 2018 election result, in March 2020 as a "royal coup".{{Cite web |date=2020-03-03 |title=The Guardian view on a royal coup: a king overturns a historic election {{!}} Editorial |url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/03/the-guardian-view-on-a-royal-coup-a-king-overturns-a-historic-election |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}

• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics in Malaysia
• 2023 Sabah political crisis
• 2021 Malaysian state of emergency
• 2009 Perak constitutional crisis
• 1987 Ming Court Affair

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