Dr M also quits as Bersatu chair moments after party exits Harapan

UPDATED 3.48PM | Dr Mahathir Mohamad has also resigned as Bersatu chairperson, an hour after party president Muhyiddin Yassin announced that Bersatu quit Pakatan Harapan.

Earlier, Mahathir also submitted his resignation as the prime minister to the palace.

His resignation comes amid political manoeuvring to form a new coalition comprising former PKR leaders aligned to Gombak MP Azmin Ali, Bersatu, BN, PAS, GPS and Warisan.

Mahathir provided no reasons for his resignation as both the prime minister or as Bersatu chairperson.

His exit as the Bersatu chair fuels speculation that he could be at odds with Muhyiddin and others.

Meanwhile, The Edge quoted sources as claiming that Mahathir resigned from the party he founded because is against working with Umno.

Bersatu has 26 parliament seats.

Meanwhile, former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said he and 10 other MPS would form an independent block.

A number of top leaders from Umno, PAS and Bersatu congregated at a hotel in Petaling Jaya last night, along with Azmin and other PKR MPs aligned to him.

This fuelled speculation of a move to form a backdoor government.

Following Mahathir’s resignation as prime minister earlier, sources offered two different scenarios for Mahathir's decision.

One source claimed the 94-year-old premier was fed-up with what transpired in the last 24 hours as he was purportedly against the move.

Whereas, a second source alleged Mahathir is resigning as the Pakatan Harapan prime minister in order for him to become the legitimate prime minister of the new coalition.

RELATED REPORTS

LIVE: Anwar enters Istana Negara

Azmin quits PKR, takes 10 other MPs with him

Mahathir resigns - PMO confirms

Muhyiddin: Bersatu quits Harapan

Anwar satisfied with Dr M's stand on regime change

Selangor likely to remain a Harapan state

Gerakan to decide whether to accept Azmin and Co

Dr M also quits as Bersatu chair moments after party exits Harapan

GPS more comfortable working with PAS than DAP - Masing

Harapan gov't collapses but opponents have no clear majority either

At least three Harapan state governments could fall to new coalition