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Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's king seeks names for next PM: Candidates to watch

Muhyiddin exit gives Anwar another shot while UMNO urges virus 'war cabinet'

From left, Hishammuddin Hussein, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Anwar Ibrahim and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah are all considered possible candidates to become Malaysia's prime minister. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)

KUALA LUMPUR -- The search for Malaysia's next prime minister is on, after Muhyiddin Yassin ended a rocky 17 months in power by tendering his resignation on Monday.

Political parties have been scrambling to gather support behind their preferred replacements with written declarations. Online, countless polls have asked Malaysians to "virtually" vote for their candidate of choice. But with the palace ruling out a snap election due to COVID-19, it is up to King Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin to choose a premier he believes can command a majority in the lower house, according to the constitution.

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