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The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has summoned 114 members of Parliament (MPs) who are believed to be supporting Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri to the Istana Negara today, 19 August
This comes after all elected representatives were told to name a Prime Minister candidate to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah before 4pm yesterday, 18 August.
With the 114 MPs being summoned to the palace, UMNO secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said it is apparent that Ismail will be Malaysia’s ninth Prime Minister, reported Malaysiakini.
The MPs will arrive at the Istana Negara in five batches beginning 10am. Below is the breakdown of the number of MPs aligned with Perikatan Nasional (PN) who are invited to the palace:
– UMNO: 37
– Bersatu: 31
– PAS: 18
– GPS-PBB: 13
– GPS-PRS: 2
– GPS-PDP: 2
– MCA: 2
– GPS-SUPP: 1
– MIC: 1
– PBRS: 1
– PBS: 1
– STAR: 1
– Independent: 4
The news portal noted that Gua Musang MP, UMNO’s Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, is not in the invited name list.
Image via Yusof Mat Isa/Malay Mail via Yahoo! News
The first batch of MPs who will be arriving at the palace are all 18 MPs from GPS as well as six MPs from Bersatu
New Straits Times reported that the last batch who will arrive at the palace are all 18 PAS MPs, including its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Speaking to sources from the Opposition, Malaysiakini learnt from PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil that he has no information on the matter.
A source from DAP also echoed the same.
While Ismail seems to be likely the new premier based on the current development, GPS had yesterday declined to reveal who they are backing
Its chairperson Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said he cannot reveal the name as it was the Agong’s prerogative to do so, Malay Mail quoted him as saying.
“It is just a normal request that we sent to Istana Negara,” he told reporters yesterday afternoon.
“I cannot announce the name before the Agong announces the name.”
GPS chairperson Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg.
Image via Bernama via Malay Mail
Meanwhile, Pejuang chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also did not reveal who he and his party are supporting.
In an interview with Bernama, Free Malaysia Today reported that Mahathir said he would consider becoming part of the new Cabinet if invited by the BN or PN ruling coalition.
“We (Pejuang) find that both coalitions are not interesting, which is why we have distanced ourselves in the first place,” he said.
“We are a ‘third force’ that are not tied to any side, but for now, we are not working with any.”
He added he has no problem with supporting Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Below is the name list and schedule of MPs who are invited to the Istana Negara
Bus loads of MPs from the winning side are scheduled to make their way to the national palace today . The first batch of 18 MPs from GPS will be having virtual audience with the king, online from Kuching at 10 am says an aide from Sarawak CM’s office. https://t.co/urx5jJTpPO pic.twitter.com/TJSIAzsNEg
— Melissa Goh (@MelGohCNA) August 19, 2021