PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says he has tendered his resignation as prime minister and that of his Cabinet to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as he does not want to sacrifice his personal principles to remain in office.

       The King has appointed Muhyiddin as caretaker Prime Minister, who will continue to run the country's administration until a new premier and Cabinet are appointed.

       The Pagoh MP said his resignation was based on the Federal Constitution as he no longer commanded majority support of the Dewan Rakyat.

       "I could have taken the easy road by sacrificing my principles to remain as prime minister. But that wasn't the choice I made. I will never collude with kleptocrats, disrupt the independence of the judiciary or turn my back on the Federal Constitution just to remain in power," he said.

       He said that resigning amid the tumultuous Covid-19 pandemic was the last thing he wished to do as Perikatan Nasional had unfinished initiatives such as the Covid-19 vaccination drive and economic recovery, but added that this was inevitable.

       Muhyiddin said resignation was the last resort after the Perikatan administration under his leadership had exhausted all options to sustain their hold on the government, including by proposing bipartisan cooperation with the Opposition.

       "All these initiatives were fruitless as certain parties placed power above the people's lives," he said.

       Appearing in a live televised address to the nation at 3pm on Monday (Aug 16), Muhyiddin delivered his heartfelt apology to all Malaysians, saying that Perikatan had done its best to preserve lives and livelihoods and added that mistakes were bound to happen.

       Muhyiddin said he hoped that the next government could be formed as quickly as possible and added that Malaysians need not worry about the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination drive, as his government had ordered enough vaccines for all.

       "I hope the next government which takes over administration of this country will take good care of all of you. That's the only thing I care about and I care about all of you all the time, always," he said.

       It is now up to the King to choose the next prime minister, whom he believes commands majority support of members of the Dewan Rakyat.

       All ministerial appointments were also cancelled effective Monday as a result of the prime minister's resignation, which was tendered to Istana Negara during Muhyiddin's audience with the King at 12.30pm.