Johor sultan calls for immediate formation of new federal gov't

GE14 | Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has called for the immediate formation of a new federal government, following Pakatan Harapan’s victory against BN in the 14th general election.

In a video message, the sultan urged his subjects to accept the voice of the people who had voted for a new government.

“To all my subjects, Bangsa Johor, you must accept the voice of the people to form the government. Without wasting any more time I am also looking forward to working with the new government, for the best of my subjects.

“Therefore the government must be appointed now, without wasting any more time,” he said.

The sultan also expressed hope that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V would immediately consent to swear in the new prime minister.

“And even the prime minister (must be apppointed) now,” said the monarch, who congratulated all contesting parties.

In Johor, former menteri besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin last night conceded that BN had failed to defend the state government and gave his assurance that there would be a peaceful transition of power once Harapan decides on its menteri besar.

Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to be sworn in as Malaysia’s seventh prime minister in a ceremony this evening.

In the final GE14 tally, Harapan candidates who contested under the PKR logo secured 113 parliamentary seats, enough to form the new government with a simple majority. PKR also supported one Independent candidate in Batu, while Harapan’s Sabah ally Warisah gained eight parliamentary seats.

However, Umno president and former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak said no partyhad won enough seats to form a federal government and that it was up to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to decide who the seventh prime minister of Malaysia would be. - Mkini