Agong hopes no more new PMs before end of his tenure

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong today voiced hope that Anwar Ibrahim would be the last prime minister appointed under his rule. 

Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said he had had the heavy mandate of ruling over four prime minister since being sworn in as king on Jan 31, 2019 – Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin, Ismail Sabri Yaakob and, most recently, Anwar. 

"I have occupied the throne of the Malaysian government since Jan 31, 2019," he said. 

"I have gone through events and experiences that will be difficult for me to forget. It is engraved in the country's history that I am the only Agong who was given the good health to rule with four prime ministers and four different Cabinets. 

"I hope that this 10th prime minister will be the last for me before I return to the state of Pahang," Sultan Abdullah added at the opening ceremony of the second term of the 15th Parliament in Kuala Lumpur today.

"Nevertheless, this is God's will. Man plans, but God is the best of planners."

The Agong said he had no intention of interfering in the country's political affairs, or having a hand in the political landscape. 

Nevertheless, he said if the events that led to the resignation of Mahathir, the seventh prime minister, had not occurred, the political turmoil which continued until the Nov 19 election last year could have been avoided. 

"More importantly, the political turmoil that has plagued the country for almost four years can be avoided if the honourable MPs and politicians are prepared to put aside their differences, and unite solely on the basis of safeguarding the interests of the people and our beloved country," he said. 

"At the age of 66 years now, we should have matured enough to make these unique differences the main pillar in the formation of a nation with love and respect for each other, one that is tolerant and lives in unity." 

If diversity, pluralism and political entanglements continue leading to strife and division, he said, the much desired peace and progress would never become a reality. 

Sultan Abdullah also urged the MPs to protect the good name and honour of Parliament, and to serve wholeheartedly by prioritising the people and the future of the country. 

He said that MPs should put aside narrow political agendas and come together in the name of unity, adding that political stability should be used as a space to shape the nation and usher in a new era for Malaysia. 

Sultan Abdullah appointed Muhyiddin to replace Mahathir after interviewing MPs individually to determine who possessed the majority of support in the Dewan Rakyat. 

Mahathir had stepped down in February 2020 after 22 months of leading the government, triggering the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan administration. 

Muhyiddin was sworn in on March 1, and led the country until August 2021 when he resigned after losing his majority in the Dewan Rakyat. 

He was replaced by Ismail, who went on to become Malaysia's shortest serving prime minister, dissolving Parliament in October 2022 to pave the way for the 15th general election. 

The election itself resulted in a hung Parliament, with no single coalition winning enough support to form the government on its own. 

Sultan Abdullah eventually appointed Anwar as prime minister after the PKR leader gained the backing of Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.