Bringing you updates on the developing situation following the collapse of the 20-month-old Pakatan Harapan government.
Bersatu nominates Muhyiddin for PM
4.18pm: Bersatu will nominate Muhyiddin Yassin as their prime minister candidate for the King's consideration.
The party's secretary-general Marzuki Yahya says this was decided at the meeting between Bersatu lawmakers and Dr Mahathir Mohamad at Yayasan Al Bukhary.
Marzuki did not state if this was a unanimous decision but he says that "36 Bersatu MPs" attended the meeting.
Bersatu only has 26 MPs including Mahathir. The additional 10 are believed to refer to Azmin Ali's faction, who have been widely speculated to be joining Bersatu.
King still can't determine who has majority
4.00pm - The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is still unable to determine which MP commands majority support of the Dewan Rakyat.
In a statement by the Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadli Shamsuddin, His Majesty's next step is to reach out to leaders of parties with MPs.
Dewan Rakyat speaker meets King again
3.25pm: Istana Negara - Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof (photo) is back at the Istana Negara.
The speaker had already had an audience with the King earlier this morning.
The latest visit comes after Ariff pulled the plug on Mahathir's call for a Dewan Rakyat sitting on Monday, saying a special session would only be called after receiving a royal decree.
Pakatan Harapan leaders at Eastin Hotel
2.45pm: Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya - Pakatan Harapan leaders such as Gobind Singh Deo, Anthony Loke, Saifuddin Nasution, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Khalid Samad have been spotted here at the hotel.
Previously, a message had been circulating on WhatsApp that the Harapan presidential council would be addressing supporters at the hotel at 3pm.
However, Harapan officers had denied this as fake.
PKR information chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin says Harapan leaders are just having a "regular daily meeting".
After speaker's decision, Umno veep tells Dr M 'time to go'
2.40pm: The writing is on the wall for Dr Mahathir Mohamad, according to Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin.
In an Instagram post this afternoon, the former Johor menteri besar claims the time has come for the 94-year-old leader to take a bow.
“The sign is on the wall for Tun M, about time to go, thank you for the services and sacrifices for Malaysia all this while,” he says.
Khaled also posts the statement from Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof rejecting Mahathir's call for a special sitting next week to resolve the current political impasse.
Penang won't dissolve state assembly in the event of snap polls - CM
2pm: In the event of a snap election, Penang will not dissolve its 40-member state legislative assembly, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (below) today.
Chow said this is because the Pakatan Harapan government in Penang is backed by a "strong mandate".
"We can carry on our mandate for another three years," he said after a groud breaking ceremony by Smith+Nephew in Batu Kawan, Penang today.
The next polls (GE15) is not expected until mid-2023.
Chow noted that it is the respective state's decision to dissolve the state assembly in the event of a snap or national polls.
"But there is no need for us to do it, we will continue until full term,” he said.
In GE14, Harapan won 37 seats out of 40 in Penang, while the opposition won three - BN (2) and PAS (1).
Some rulers seen leaving palace, Mahathir-Bersatu meeting ends
1.10pm: The rulers of Johor, Kedah, Perlis, and Terengganu have been spotted leaving Istana Negara.
It is understood that the other rulers are still meeting with the King.
Over as Yayasan AlBukhary, the meeting between Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Bersatu leaders, and MPs aligned to Azmin Ali has also concluded.
Bersatu supreme council member Redzuan Yusof tells reporters to "wait for tonight" when met.
It is unclear if the meeting has concluded or if they are leaving for Friday prayers.
Mahathir has an event at 3.30pm.
Dewan Rakyat speaker: No sitting on March 2
1.00pm: Parliament - There will not be a special Dewan Rakyat sitting on Monday, says speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof.
According to Mohamad, he had received a correspondence from interim Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad calling for the sitting.
However, the correspondence does not fulfil Standing Order 11(3), in which the time of the sitting is determined by the speaker of the House.
Moreover, he said the prime minister also failed to state the nature of the business to be discussed.
Full report here.
Malay rulers at the palace to meet Agong
12.30pm: Istana Negara - All the Malay rulers have arrived at the palace for a meeting with the King.
Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar was the first to arrive at 9.26am, while the Sultan Nazrin Shah arrived at 11.26am.
The rulers' meeting comes two days after the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong concluded interviews with lawmakers to decide on a future government.
Bersatu leader disagrees with Parliament sitting to determine PM
12.17pm: Bersatu supreme council member Rais Yatim (photo), too, does not appear to agree with the March 2 Parliament sitting to determine the support of MPs for the next prime minister.
This is after interim Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday announced that Parliament will convene for the above purpose as the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong had found that no one had majority support.
"What's with the fuss that the Dewan Rakyat will supposedly determine who becomes prime minister on March 2?
"The power to appoint the prime minister lies in the hands of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, not the Dewan Rakyat.
"The Agong would have made a decision after interviewing MPs for two days. The attorney-general should give the right advice to the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong," he says in a Twitter post.
Over half of Johor Bersatu divisions back Mahathir as PM
12pm: Nineteen out of 26 Johor Bersatu divisions are backing Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister, says state party chief Mazlan Bujang (photo).
This comes a day after Johor Bersatu assemblypersons joined forces with BN and PAS to take over the state government, allegedly with the blessings of Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.
The interim prime minister, who has been adamantly against working with Umno en bloc, claimed that Muhyiddin has a more relaxed stance on working with the former ruling party as a whole.
Umno against March 2 Parliament sitting
11.40pm: Interim Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's announcement that the Dewan Rakyat will be convened on March 2 to determine who its members support as the next prime minister has not only courted criticism from Pakatan Harapan but also Umno.
"All MPs must say 'no' to the March 2 special sitting as announced by the interim prime minister.
"It is unconstitutional, procedurally improper and disrespects the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong," says Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa.
Ex-IGPs and former senate president submit petition
11.20pm: Istana Negara - Former inspectors-general of police and former senate president leave the palace after submitting a petition.
Ex-IGPs Hanif Omar and Musa Hassan and former president of the Dewan Negara Abu Zahar Ujang were seen exiting the grounds of Istana Negara at 10.11am after handing over a petition to a representative of the confidential secretary to the King, Nazim Mohd Alimi.
Hanif, who then met with reporters, explained that the petition was prompted by the current political upheaval and was an effort by various NGOs to unite in a movement to uphold the Constitution.
Hanif argued that the dissolution of Parliament in times of political turmoil was not the best solution.
"We have been very careful and the situation is not yet a security threat, which we feel is necessary to resolve the issue without the dissolution of Parliament.
"Let the Yang di-Pertuan Agong make the decision, if he decides on dissolution then we will accept it," he said.
However, his group did not want to explain the essence of the petition and said it was specifically written to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Also present were several NGOs such as Gerakan Pembela (Ummah), Majlis Perundingan Melayu (MPM) and Veteran Angkatan Tentera Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Musa who heads security for MPM also supported the view that it was not fair to dissolve Parliament, seeing no security threats so far.
Ex-PKR members arrive for meeting with Mahathir
11am: Yayasan Albukhary - A number of former PKR leaders aligned to Azmin Ali are seen arriving here for the meeting with Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Batu Pahat MP Rashid Hasnon, Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin and Gombak Setia assemblyperson Hilman Idham are among those believed to be in attendance.
Mahathir is also currently meeting Bersatu leaders here.
'Conference of Rulers' decisions need to follow Federal Constitution'
10.40am: PKR treasurer Lee Chean Chung hopes the Conference of Rulers will follow the Federal Constitution in making a decision on the next government and premier candidate.
Taking to social media, Lee said Dr Mahathir Mohamad forgot that he is merely an interim prime minister.
"Article 40(2) and Article 43(2)(a) stated only the head of state, ie the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the power to choose a candidate that (is supported) by the majority of the MPs as the prime minister.
"The law is meant to prevent the premier to act arbitrarily and this is the jurisdiction given to the head of state only under parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy," he said.
"Furthermore, the candidate of the premier must be picked and announced by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before the Dewan Rakyat to approve a no-confidence motion.
"But Mahathir has arrogated the procedure and is not following the spirit of the Federal Constitution. It will affect the decision that will be made by the head of state," he said.
Mahathir arrives for meeting with Bersatu MPs
10am: Yayasan Albukhary - Dr Mahathir Mohamad is here to meet with Bersatu MPs.
He arrived here at around 9.10am in a dark blue Mercedes Benz.
A number of the MPs have already arrived, such as Pagoh MP Muhyiddin Yassin, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee, Kubang Pasu MP Amiruddin Hamzah, Titiwangsa MP Rina Harun, Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik and Bersatu secretary-general Marzuki Yahya.
Bandar Tun Razak MP Kamaruddin Jaafar was also spotted entering the building.
Kamaruddin was one of the 11 PKR MPs who quit the party along with Azmin Ali.
Ex-IGPs, former senate president at Istana Negara
9.50am: Istana Negara - Ex-IGPs Hanif Omar and Musa Hassan as well as former Dewan Negara president Abu Zahar Ujang are seen entering the third gate of the palace.
They are planning to submit a memorandum on the current political crisis to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Earlier, several people dressed in white were seen arriving at the entrance of Gate 3, as early as 9am.
Among those present was former PKR researcher Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, who made waves in December when he accused PKR president Anwar Ibrahim of sexual misconduct.
The contents of the memorandum were not disclosed but Haniff told the press that he would brief them after his meeting with the King.
Mahathir or Muhyiddin? Bersatu must decide their PM candidate
9.45am: A Bersatu senior leader hopes the party will make a decision that is able to put the country back to its course of prosperity.
Speaking to Malaysiakini on condition of anonymity, he says the party must decide its choice of premiership candidate - between Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin - by today.
He says this is needed so Bersatu can negotiate with Umno/BN, PAS, GPS and Warisan to form a unity government before they attend the special sitting in Dewan Rakyat next Monday.
He agreed that Muhyiddin is more acceptable to Umno and PAS as compared with Mahathir, who is a principled man unable to accept the formation of a government with Umno en bloc.
Mahathir will meet all MPs from Bersatu at 10am today.
Read full report here.
Bursa opens in the red despite stimulus package announcement
9.20am: All listed index on Bursa Malaysia opens in the red today due to increased selling pressure as the ongoing political crisis continues to influence the market despite the announcement of RM20 billion stimulus package to battle Covid-19 impacts.
Bernama reported that as of 9.08am, the key index of the FBM Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) was 1.26 percent or 19.08 points lower at 1,486.51, after opening at 20.69 points lower at 9am sharp.
On the broader market, losers trounced gainers 499 to 54 with 140 counters unchanged and 65 suspended. Turnover stood at 346.67 million shares worth RM161.85 million.
Kit Siang lambasts plotters for doing it while Covid-19 spreads
9am: DAP's Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang has hit out at those behind the current political crisis for their timing.
"It is the height of irresponsibility to create a political crisis in Malaysia in the midst of a global coronavirus crisis," he said in a statement this morning.
"The World Health Organisation head Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus has warned that the coronavirus outbreak has reached a “decisive point” and has “pandemic potential” as countries around the world battle to prevent the virus spreading further," he said.
He called for the "artificial political crisis" to be resolved in the shortest time possible, and that those responsible to be condemned by all Malaysians.
"The nation must not be held to ransom by irresponsible political leaders who are prepared to risk great damage to the country just to play their political games," said Kit Siang who called for the restoration of the Pakatan Harapan government.
Bersatu may be wiped out in a snap election: Xavier
8.30am: PKR vice-president Xavier Jayakumar (photo) cautions that Bersatu will be wiped out if a snap poll is called.
"Bersatu presently is in a disarray and if this saga leads to elections, I am sure the party could possibly face a wipe out or suffer heavy losses for that matter," he said in a statement.
"All Dr Mahathir Mohamad had to do was to sack five cabinet members, reappoint and move on," he said without mentioning names.
Xavier also pointed out the role Mahathir played in the entire episode and concluded there is an ongoing plot to form a unity government without Pakatan Harapan.
He said Mahathir could just hand over his power to PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim peacefully.
"Why did he supposedly pre-empt the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong over a special Parliament sitting announcement?
"I hope and pray Yang Di-Pertuan Agong will make a decision which we all will abide," he said.
Read full report here.
Umno sec-gen: Dr M jumped the gun, the king should pick the PM
8am: Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa voiced his objection to the announcement by interim prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Dewan Rakyat would convene on Monday to determine who commanded the support of the majority of MPs.
"There is no provision to authorise the Dewan Rakyat to determine who the PM is. It is the absolute power of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to appoint any MP who has the support of the majority.
“Upon review there is not enough support, YDPA may decide to dissolve the House or find other ways to proceed," tweeted Annuar.
Tiada sebarang peruntukan yg memberi kuasa kpd DEWAN RAKYAT menentukan siapa PM.Ia kuasa mutlak YDPA melantik sesiapa yg pada hemat baginda MP yg mempunyai sokongan Majority.Setelah di tinjau tiada yg cukup sokongan,YDPA boleh memutuskan pembubaran ATAU meneruskan dgn cara lain..
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Azmin slammed for taking credit for stimulus package
7.45am: Amanah communication director Khalid Samad slams former economic affairs minister Azmin Ali for taking credit for the stimulus package announced yesterday by interim prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He says former finance minister Lim Guan Eng had worked hard on the stimulus package.
"You have damaged the investment atmosphere, economy and politics of the country through your 'Sikitol move'! And after that, you are ‘stealing’ credit from Guan Eng. This is most disgraceful. Have you no shame?" tweets Khalid.
According to ‘The Malay Annals’, Si Kitol was one of the treacherous individuals in 16th century who played a role in the collapse of the Melaka Sultanate.
However, Azmin's aide Woon King Chai defends his boss saying that the Economic Affairs Ministry also worked hard to ensure all Malaysians benefit from the booster shot to the economy.
In a joint statement yesterday, Azmin and 10 MPs who support him, expected the stimulus package would ease the cash flow burden of businesses and individuals affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, particularly those in the tourism and export sectors.
Day 6 of unprecedented political upheaval
7.30am: It's Day 6 of the political crisis that has gripped the country following a failed coup attempt on Sunday.
According to interim prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the situation will be resolved next Monday at an emergency session of the Dewan Rakyat.
However, Pakatan Harapan said that under the Federal Constitution, the power to decide on who the prime minister should be lies with the king, and accused Mahathir of pre-empting the sovereign. The Malay rulers are expected to meet today.
Mahathir is also to meet his party this morning amid what is perceived to be a growing split between him and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin. - Mkini
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