Malaysia’s President Joko Widodo announced on Thursday that he will not run for reelection in 2019.
He is the first Muslim leader to not seek re-election since President Mahathir Mohamad in the 1970s.
The announcement came as Widodo, who is of Indonesian and Malaysian descent, faces mounting pressure to step down.
Malaysia is a majority-Muslim country.
The country’s political parties have also refused to back his call for a referendum on his presidential bid.
The United States has repeatedly called on Widodo to step aside to allow for a fresh election.
The Malaysian leader has said he wants to spend more time with his family.
