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KUALA LUMPUR – As the nation enters day five without a federal government and prime minister, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will meet the Malay rulers today amid the political impasse.
Yesterday, the king met with Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders after Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin rejected the unity government proposal.
It is expected that the Agong will confer with the Malay rulers over the current political situation after the 15th general election (GE15) ended last Saturday.
At the same time, BN Supreme Council members are also holding a separate meeting at Menara Dato Onn here 11am onwards today, following Umno’s decision to back a unity government not led by PN.
Join us as The Vibes brings you live updates from Istana Negara and Menara Dato Onn, which could indicate the end to the country’s political uncertainties. – The Vibes, November 24, 2022
1.33 pm – It is official. PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is Malaysia’s 10th prime minister. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at 5pm.
1.22pm – Vehicle carrying Zuki has left the palace via Gate 2.
1.19pm – Members of the press are still camped out at Anwar’s residence in Sg Long, Kajang. So far, the gates remain closed.
1.07pm – Pahang regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has left the palace.
1pm – Perikatan Nasional (PN) Supreme Council agrees to consider the proposed formation of a unity government. PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said it will include discussions with like-minded parties.
12.55pm – Terengganu ruler Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin has left the palace, followed by Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Perak’s Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and Kedah’s Sultan Al Aminul Karim.
Also leaving the palace is Raja Muda Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.
12.22pm – PKR’s Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin enters Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s office in Petaling Jaya. He only says “for the people and the nation” to the media present.
12.20pm – A group aligned to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today held a rally at Menara Dato Onn here, calling for the end of politicking and for the party to respect the decree of the Agong for the formation of a unity government.
Leading the group, who are all dressed in white, is Datuk Ramalan Yunus, a self-styled independent political analyst and Umno member.
He said only those with vested interest within the party are still resisting the president’s attempt to fulfil the decree by the Agong.
“We ordinary members abide by the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the formation of a unity government. Our struggle remains the same, to fight for our country, race and religion.
“Only those who have vested interest are going against the president,” he claimed in a press conference.
Similarly, Ramalan called other BN component parties to abide by the Agong’s decree and support the effort en bloc.
He and nearly 60 Umno members have gathered at Umno headquarters in solidarity with their president.
They then shouted “Hidup presiden, hidup BN” (“Long live president, long live BN”) during the rally.
12pm – Gabungan Rakyat Sabah Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor will adhere to the Agong’s decision to have a unity government.
In a statement, the Sabah chief minister said the formation of the federal government must take place as soon as possible for the sake of the people.
11.57am – Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has left the palace, about an hour after the final ruler entered the compound for an audience with the Agong.
The departure of his entourage was followed by a convoy for Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Almarhum Tuanku Munawir.
The palace gates have been closed again for the time being.
11.56am – DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng has apologised to the Sarawak premier and the GPS state government for remarks that might be deemed offensive.
“The future of the country is more important. Let us make a fresh start to cooperate together to preserve the diversity, inclusiveness and unity of our multi-racial and multi-cultural society as well as protect our federal constitution for the benefit of all in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak,” he said in a Facebook post.
11.24am – BN component PBRS will abide by whatever decision the coalition makes in the interest of a stable government, Bernama quoted PBRS deputy president Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup as saying.
11.23am – BN officials have confirmed that the coalition’s supreme council will not convene this morning after it was reported that one will be held following Umno Supreme Council meeting late last night.
11.22am – Kedah opposition leader Datuk Johari Abdul arrived at Anwar’s office in Petaling Jaya, saying that it was to discuss future action plans for the state election, which will be held next year.
When asked about BN’s support for the government, he responded with: “The message is very clear…they can work with anyone else except PN.”
However, other insiders indicate that the BN Supreme Council will not convene at least until the conclusion of the ongoing Conference of Rulers.
11.13am – Police and guards on duty at the palace main gates here have stood down from their posts. It appears that Kelantan’s Sultan Muhammad V will not be attending today’s meeting.
11am – DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has apologised to the people of Sarawak and the state government for any offensive statements that his party members had issued.
Loke said in a statement that he had met with Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg at his Kuching residence this morning, accompanied by Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
“We had a friendly talk. I informed the YAB Premier that if there is any statement by any DAP leaders that has offended the government and the people of Sarawak, I – on behalf of DAP – would like to publicly apologise.”
10.50am – Sultan of Kedah Sultan Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah waves to press members waiting outside Gate 1 as he enters the palace in a silver Rolls Royce.
Following closely is Perak’s Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, and Terengganu’s Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.
10.45am – Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah arrives at the palace with his entourage.
10.31am – All quiet at the office of PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Petaling Jaya.
10.30am – Raja Muda Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail is next to arrive at the palace.
10.21am – Several vehicles are seen entering PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s residence here. One of them belongs to Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Bernama reports.
10.20am – According to police on duty, Pahang Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s convoy enters the palace.
10.14am – A vehicle carrying Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun enters Gate 2.
10.10am – A vehicle carrying Chief Secretary Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali enters the palace via Gate 2, reports Bernama.
At 9.40am, a vehicle bearing the royal standard of the Sultan of Johor enters the compound of Istana Negara. pic.twitter.com/OnCR90WeI7
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 24, 2022
9.40am – A convoy of cars, with one bearing a standard of the Johor sultan, has entered the palace.
9am – Members of the press have been waiting at Gate 1 of the palace since the early hours today.