Despite Anwar Ibrahim telling reporters that the King had called for an end to “old politics”, he said, it did not seem to stop politicians from holding frantic meetings last night to build support for their preferred prime ministerial candidates.

Political scientist Wong Chin Huat told FMT the parties should be discussing confidence and supply agreements (CSA) instead to ensure the next government has the stability to rule effectively, even if on a temporary basis.

“This would also allow the prime minister the power to remove any unfit minister without fearing that this may trigger its collapse,” he said, as not all parties in a CSA may be involved in the Cabinet.

It would also effectively create a majority far larger than the 111 needed to control the Dewan Rakyat and thus allow the prime minister to survive confidence votes and pass the budget.

Wong said that even if these agreements have a time limit, they should not be too short as the next government must have the space to implement reforms without worrying about looming elections.

“In other words, unhealthy cross-party competition can be delayed for as long as possible,” he said.

Former academic Azmi Hassan said the King’s wish could be fulfilled if parties simply prioritised coming together for the sake of the people over consolidating their power.

“When choosing a prime minister, the parties need to set aside their political agendas, what the King called ‘old politics’. When they put the nation first, it will be much easier to pick one prime minister,” Azmi said.

However, he said, old habits are not easy to break.

“All along, politics has been about the parties and the agenda of the party coming first, with the wishes of the rakyat coming later. That’s why we’re in this situation.

“The reason it is so hard for the parties to come up with one name is because each party and coalition has their own individual preferences,” he said.