Mahathir Mohamad may be at least temporarily out of power, but the 94-year-old leader isn't going down without a fight.

Mahathir's abrupt resignation last Monday kicked off a week of horse-trading that saw his fortunes rise and fall by the hour. On Saturday morning, he said he had the numbers to form a government, but by late afternoon the king appointed Muhyiddin Yassin — until recently Mahathir's right-hand man — as prime minister.

Late Saturday night, Mahathir said he has secured the backing of 114 lawmakers — enough for a majority in Malaysia's 222-member parliament — and will send a letter to tell the king. It remained unclear if the king would reconsider his decision.