Malay King interviews MPs to determine next PM

MPs of the 222-seat Lower House will be briefly interviewed on a one-on-one basis by Sultan Abdullah until he has seen for himself who commands the majority support as required by the country's Constitution.

Kuala Lumpur:Malaysia's King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is interviewing members of the Lower House of Parliament to determine who has majority backing before appointing a new Prime Minister, the palace said on Tuesday.

MPs of the 222-seat Lower House will be briefly interviewed on a one-on-one basis by Sultan Abdullah until he has seen for himself who commands the majority support as required by the country's Constitution, Comptroller of the Royal Household for the National Palace Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin told.

The development came a day after the 94-year-old Mahathir Mohamad submitted his resignation on Monday which was later accepted by the King, on condition that he continue as Interim Prime Minister until a new government was formed.

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy with nine sultans or rulers who head their respective states and act as the religious leader, taking turns to serve as the King for a five-year term.

Ahmad Fadil said the interviews would be witnessed by the Chief Secretary to the Government and was planned to be completed by Wednesday.

"All MPs will be invited to be personally interviewed by the King. It will be short, between 2-3 minutes or less," he explained.

The unprecedented move will also see the MPs stating their preference for the way forward as an individual instead of as members of their respective parties or political blocks.

"We are not following according to party because it is up to the individual MP," Ahmad Fadil said.

Photos of Mahathir working in his office were posted on his social media on Tuesday, with the caption: "Just another day in the office..."

(With inputs from IANS)