Malaysia’s king tries to resolve political deadlock amid coronavirus crisis

Police stand guard outside the main gate of the National Palace while Malaysia’s prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin meets the King in Kuala Lumpur (FL Wong/AP)

Malaysia’s king summoned the heads of political parties as he swiftly began the task of selecting a new prime minister amid a worsening coronavirus outbreak.

The resignation of prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Monday after less than 18 months in office followed mounting public anger over what was widely perceived as his government’s poor handling of the pandemic.