Who could realistically replace Muhyiddin as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister?

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Potential Successors to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin Face Significant Political Hurdles

Calls for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation have intensified, particularly following recent events involving the palace and the revocation of Emergency ordinances. However, identifying a realistic successor presents a complex challenge, as key political figures and parties face internal divisions and inter-party discord that hinder the formation of a stable governing coalition. The immediate focus for many critics is on removing the current Prime Minister, with the question of who would lead the nation thereafter remaining a significant point of contention and uncertainty.
Anwar Ibrahim's Path to Prime Ministership Remains Elusive

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Opposition leader, has been a prominent voice in the calls for Muhyiddin's ouster and has long harboured ambitions for the Prime Minister's post, having sought it since 1998. For Anwar to secure the position of Malaysia's ninth Prime Minister, he would require substantial support from Members of Parliament within Umno, including those associated with the kluster mahkamah faction, such as Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. However, this prospect is complicated by the stance of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), the largest component of Pakatan Harapan (PH), which has explicitly rejected any form of cooperation with Umno, citing past grievances.
Umno's Internal Divisions Hamper Succession Prospects

Umno itself is significantly fragmented, with its 38 MPs divided into several factions, making it difficult for any single leader to command unified support. Potential candidates from Umno, such as Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Senior Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, face the challenge of not only cobbling together a sufficient bloc of support to challenge Muhyiddin but also navigating the deep-seated divisions within their own party. Furthermore, the Umno Supreme Council has passed a resolution against cooperating with DAP and Anwar, creating further obstacles for any coalition that might include these groups.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Pejuang Offer Limited Political Influence

Another potential figure in the succession landscape is Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who leads the relatively small Pejuang party, comprising only four MPs. This limited parliamentary presence positions Pejuang as a political "island" with insufficient numbers to independently form a government or significantly influence the outcome of succession debates. Moreover, animosity exists between Dr Mahathir and Anwar, and many within Pakatan Harapan remain unforgiving of Dr Mahathir's decision to resign as Prime Minister in February 2020, which led to the collapse of the PH coalition. This history of strained relationships and unresolved grievances further complicates any potential alliance or path to power for Dr Mahathir or his party.

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Who could realistically replace Muhyiddin as Malaysia’s ninth prime minister?

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