Feb. 24, 2020 was a historic day in Malaysian politics, but there was still time for a final twist in the tale.

At 11:25pm, Malaysiakini reported that the late-night, top-level meeting of Mahathir Mohamad's Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) had concluded.

PPBM supreme council member Rafiq Naizamohideen confirmed initial reports citing unnamed sources that the party had rejected Mahathir Mohamad's resignation as chairman.

PPBM supports Mahathir as Prime Minister

Rafiq added that the PPBM supreme council fully supported Mahathir as prime minister, and MPs would voice their support for him before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysia's king.

However, Malaysiakini stated that it understood that the subject of Anwar Ibrahim was not discussed.

Previously, Anwar and Mahathir had an agreement where the 95-year-old leader would step down before the end of his term to make way for Anwar to serve as prime minister.

Mahathir resigned as PM and party chairman

Earlier in the day on Feb. 24, Mahathir had submitted his resignation as prime minister.

However, he also submitted his resignation as chairman of PPBM, after his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin announced that PPBM would leave the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition to form another ruling coalition.

This triggered a collapse of PH as it no longer commanded a majority in Parliament.

The king accepted Mahathir's resignation as prime minister, but appointed him as interim prime minister.

Mahathir, Malaysia's 8th Prime Minister?

With the rejection of his resignation as chairman, and securing PPBM's full support, Mahathir could potentially return as prime minister once more.

With all of PPBM's 26 MPs added back to Pakatan Harapan's remaining 92 MPs, Mahathir would have the support of 118 MPs -- enough to form a majority in government.

If that happens, Mahathir could begin a third term as Malaysia's prime minister and set a cap on a remarkable political development.

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Top image from PPBM's Facebook page.