Azmin Ali, Economic Affairs Minister and deputy president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), has been sacked with immediate effect.

Malay Mail reported that PKR’s secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail made the announcement on Feb. 24.

PKR vice president Zuraida Kamaruddin has also been sacked.

Saifuddin said that the pair have been removed due to committing "open and blatant betrayal" towards the party.

He added: "The (Central Leadership Council) agreed that there was a display of open betrayal by a few characters who became masterminds, who were in clear conflict with the position of the party with matters concerning the position of the (next) Prime Minister."

Saifuddin also revealed that the decision was unanimous.

Azmin the rebel?

Azmin, a prominent member of the Pakatan Harapan coalition, was involved in talks on Sunday, Feb. 23, with Malaysian media speculating that he would lead a breakaway faction of PKR MPs.

This group would then join forces with Mahathir's Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and other opposition parties to form a new ruling coalition.

Azmin shared a Facebook post on Feb. 24 that listed the names of the PKR MPs who would be joining his exodus.

Azmin's sacking was announced around the same time that Mahathir handed in his resignation as Prime Minister to Malaysia's Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Anwar will have the chance to form a new government, as he still leads the largest party in the Dewan Rakyat.

However, his lack of support among the current opposition parties may see Mahathir becoming Prime Minister again, but the head of a new coalition.

Top image from Azmin Ali and Zuraida Kamaruddin's Facebook pages.