But Mahathir made clear he would not bow out quietly, saying he would inform the king he had a majority in parliament supporting his return as prime minister. The king's decision could again reshape politics in the Southeast Asian country less than two years after an alliance of Mahathir, and old rival Anwar Ibrahim, 72, swept out the former ruling party that had been tarnished by corruption scandals. Although Mahathir and Anwar announced on Saturday that they had joined hands again.

Copyright Reuters, 2020