Anwar Ibrahim appointed Malaysia's next PM

The uncertainty over the election prolonged political instability in the Southeast Asian country, which has had three prime ministers in as many years, and risked delaying policy decisions needed to foster economic recovery.

King Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan plays a largely ceremonial role but can appoint a premier he believes will command a majority in parliament.

Anwar's progressive coalition, known as Pakatan Harapan, won the most seats in the Saturday election with 82, while Muhyiddin's conservative Malay Muslim alliance called Perikatan Nasional won 73.

They need 112 - a simple majority - to form a government.

The incumbent Barisan Nasional, which came in a distant third in the election in its worst electoral showing, has 30.