Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin may have to wait a year to call polls that are needed to end Malaysia's roiling political uncertainty, which has dogged him since he took power in March.

The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president was set to capitalise on the momentum of wresting control of Sabah from Parti Warisan Sabah in September, but the record number of Covid-19 cases that in large part stemmed from the election campaign in the state has put paid to such plans, likely until the end of next year.