Muhyiddin's slim win in Malaysia's Parliament shows pressing need for a larger mandate

KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has finally put to rest doubts over the legitimacy of his government by winning a vote in Parliament on Monday (July 13), but the victory also cemented his slim majority and the need for fresh polls in Malaysia to establish a concrete mandate.

Tan Sri Ariff Yusof, elected as Speaker after Pakatan Harapan's (PH) shock win at the May 2018 polls, was removed by a majority of just two votes in the 222-member legislature. But his replacement, Datuk Azhar Harun, may not preside over Parliament for long, given how the fledgling Perikatan Nasional (PN) pact toiled to get its way.