Malaysia political upheaval as leader resigns

Supporters of a politician vying to be Malaysia's new leader gathered outside National Palace on Wednesday. Malaysia's ruling alliance collapsed this week after Mahathir Mohamad's resignation, which prompted dozens of lawmakers defected in an attempt to form a new government.

Mahathir also quit as chairman of his Bersatu party after it ditched the alliance in a bid to form a new government with opposition parties and foil the transition of power to his named successor, Anwar Ibrahim. A total of 37 lawmakers left, depriving the alliance of its majority in Parliament and throwing the country into political distress. With the political situation murky, King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah began an unprecedented process on Tuesday to interview all lawmakers to establish who they support as the next prime minister or if they want new elections.