Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was the Prime Minister of Malaysia at that time. The Prime Minister of Malaysia is the head of government and the highest political office in Malaysia. The King appoints a member of Parliament (MP) who, in his opinion, is most likely to command the confidence of a majority of MPs, the prime minister, usually the leader of the party winning the most seats in a general election. The prime minister chairs the Cabinet of Malaysia, the de facto executive branch of government. As of 10 May 2018 , Mahathir Mohamad is the seventh and incumbent prime minister.