Malaysia: Election victor seeks 'urgent' new government

By Adem Salvarcioglu

KUALA LUMPUR (AA) - Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia's 92-year-old former prime minister who led an opposition alliance to a surprise victory in Wednesday’s parliamentary elections, said he would form a government on Thursday.

Speaking at a news conference in Kuala Lumpur, Mahathir pressed to form a government, claiming that it currently lacks one.

“We want to form a government urgently,” he said, adding that he could take the oath of office later in the day if King Sultan Muhammad V appoints him to form the government.

He is expected to meet the king at 5.00 p.m. local time (0900 GMT).

“We would like to establish the government by a swearing-in today. Because currently there is no government of Malaysia. We need to establish a government without delay," he added.

The Mahathir-led opposition coalition Harapan Rakya secured more than 112 deputies in the 222-seat parliament, which is enough to form the government.

Current Prime Minister Najib Razak accepted the election result after his ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) won only 79 seats in parliament.

With Wednesday's election result, UMNO lost the driver’s seat for the first time since Malaysia gained independence in 1957.

Mahathir was the country’s prime minister for 22 years, between 1981 and 2003, making him the country’s longest-serving leader.