Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail could be Malaysia’s first woman prime minister, according to a source privy to backdoor talks.

This was following the resignation of Mahathir Mohamad after an allegedly failed coup to form a government with opposition parties.

Malay Mail reported that it was informed by a source that Mahathir has designated Wan Azizah, wife of Anwar Ibraham, as an interim prime minister.

This was after Mahathir's PPBM party opted to leave the ruling Pakatan Harapan administration, which has ceased to exist after 22 months in power.

“Wan Azizah is the interim prime minister,” said a source close to PKR president Anwar when asked if she will be replacing Mahathir.

At the same time, the source also said that Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali, who is also PKR deputy president and his right-hand woman Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, who was a senior party official had been sacked from PKR.

Azmin had left PH to form his own bloc.

PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the party has decided to leave the ruling coalition that after yesterday’s party meeting involving its senior leaders.

He said: “The PPBM top leadership has decided in a special meeting held on February 23, 2020 to leave Pakatan Harapan."

“All PPBM Members of Parliament have also exited Pakatan Harapan. All of them have signed a statutory declaration to continue supporting Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Malaysia’s prime minister.”

Coup not complete?

The political parties of Bersatu, Umno, PAS, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Parti Warisan Sabah, and the PKR faction aligned with Datuk Seri Azmin Ali gathered for furtive meetings on Sunday.

They tried to play down as “normal” the meetings.

Speculation was rife that the PH government was about to collapse and be replaced by the new alliance of ruling and opposition parties.

But no government leader or representative has come out to deny this and calm the nation.

Anwar described the betrayal as complete last night, but it is still unclear if the parties in the purported plot have the numbers to replace PH.

However, there is also talk that Mahathir might be re-nominated as prime minister again.