Opposition not invited to Istana Negara

 

The opposition has not been invited to Istana Negara following the conclusion of a voting process where all MPs were asked to inform the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on their choice of prime minister.

Last night, incumbent parties backing Ismail Sabri Yaakob revealed that they were invited to Istana Negara as the Umno vice-president has apparently secured a majority with 114 MPs over opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who managed to get the backing of 105 MPs.

The sole MP who did not support either candidate is believed to be Umno's Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

It is understood that the ruler had summoned the "winning" side to the palace today in order to verify the MPs' support for Ismail Sabri.

The ruler is expected to hold a series of meetings with the 114 MPs who are backing Ismail, grouped by parties.

DAP's Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming confirmed that the opposition is not included in the process.

"In case anyone is wondering, no, my colleagues and I didn't get any calls to go to the palace today," he said on Twitter. 

Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming

Several PKR lawmakers who spoke to Malaysiakini also confirmed that they have yet to receive an invitation.

Ong was among a handful of opposition MPs who had favoured a confidence and supply agreement with outgoing prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin in exchange for reforms.

They had cited concerns that Umno leaders facing graft charges were taking advantage of Muhyiddin's weak position to escape justice.

However, their party leadership swiftly rejected the proposal amid negative sentiment among their grassroots.

Muhyiddin lost his majority after 15 Umno MPs led by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi withdrew their support for the Bersatu president as the prime minister.

Muhyiddin, in his exit speech, said he had refused to compromise with "kleptocrats". 

However, 14 out of the 15 Umno MPs are believed to have returned to Perikatan Nasional's fold after it was agreed that Umno will take over the top job by having Ismail Sabri succeed Muhyiddin.

This means the composition of Ismail Sabri's support will be identical to Muhyiddin's before he was ousted. - Mkini