Muhyiddin says he is caretaker PM running a 'one-man show'

PUTRAJAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says he will continue to perform his executive duties as caretaker prime minister, albeit with limited powers, until a successor is appointed.

He said he would still be advising the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and carrying out his duties in line with the Federal Constitution.

"This is an honourable task," he said at a meeting with senior media editors at his office here on Monday (Aug 16).

"The King will now have to choose a new prime minister," he said.

Muhyiddin said when the King asked him to act as caretaker prime minister, he immediately sought Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun's advice on the scope of his job.

He said that his role would now be different.

When asked if his former Cabinet would be retained as a caretaker cabinet, Muhyiddin said as far as he was concerned, he would be the one running the show.

"It's a one-man show," he said in jest.

"Based on my understanding, I am the caretaker prime minister. My Cabinet has resigned. There is no longer a government like before," he said.

Muhyiddin also noted that he now had limited powers and could only perform basic essential functions of a government.

"For instance, now I cannot sign a RM1bil cheque. I have to refer to and follow the advice of the Attorney General," he added.

Asked if there was a possibility that he could be reappointed as prime minister, Muhyiddin replied: "Let's wait and see. At the moment I have the most numbers but we must always follow the rule of law."