Bringing you updates on the developing situation following the collapse of the 20-month-old Pakatan Harapan government yesterday.
Former DPM Wan Azizah arrives at PMO
10.30am: Former deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail arrives at Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya.
Business as usual in Penang, Kedah
10.25am: After Bersatu quits Pakatan Harapan, Kedah government has technically fallen.
The 36-member Kedah state legislative assembly has PKR (7), Bersatu (6), Amanah (4), DAP (2), PAS (15) and BN (2).
However, Kedah government leaders say that it's "business as usual" for them.
State Kedah executive councillor Simon Ooi says Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir (photo) was supposed to hold an exco meeting today.
"However, that has been postponed to tomorrow, until further notice. We will wait to meet him to see if there is any further developments. For now, we work as usual," he tells Malaysiakini.
Meanwhile, in Penang, Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy says Penang there are no changes in the state administration for now as it is solidly backed by DAP.
"It's business as usual," says Ramasamy.
The 40-member Penang Legislative Assembly is dominated by DAP (19) seats, with PKR (14), Bersatu (2), Amanah (2), BN (2) and PAS (1).
Stimulus package will be announced on Feb 27
10am: Former deputy international trade and industry minister Ong Kian Ming says the stimulus package will not be announced on Feb 27 as originally planned.
"I think you can clearly say that it (stimulus package) is no longer on the card as there is no government right now," he tells business radio BFM earlier today.
Ong says no new policy can be announced without the formation of a new government.
He says the priority right now is to form a new government.
Pakatan Harapan government announced the stimulus package to help industries hit hard by Covid-19.
Dr M arrives at PMO
9.40am: Dr Mahathir Mohammad reaches the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya.
This officially marks his first day entering office as the interim prime minister following his appointment by the Agong yesterday.
Yesterday, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas explained there is no time limit attached to the office of the interim prime minister.
Mahathir may now decide whether to appoint cabinet members at his discretion. This is until a new premier is appointed.
Najib’s trial postponed as he needs to attend PWTC meeting
9.24am: Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak will be heading to PWTC for a crucial political meeting around 10.30am.
After that, he also needs to attend a meeting at Istana Negara.
This is relayed by his lead defence counsel Muhammad Shafee Abdullah to the Kuala Lumpur High Court this morning.
These were among the reasons Shafee cited for the postponement of Najib's RM42 million SRC International trial to tomorrow afternoon.
It is believed that the PWTC meeting is related to the current national political upheaval.
Malacca Harapan confirms it no longer controls the State Assembly
8.30am: In what appears to be a move to bid farewell, Malacca Chief Minister Adly Zahari (below) expresses gratitude to those who gave him the opportunity to lead.
"Although the time is short, I have tried my best with all the energy I have to relieve (the people) from the hunger, evil and sadness," he says in a social media posting.
Speaking with Malaysiakini, Malacca state executive councillor Tey Kok Kiew confirms the Pakatan Harapan-led state government no longer commands the majority in the State Legislative Assembly.
"(Bersatu) had quit from Harapan and we do not have the numbers now," says Tey, who is the Malacca DAP chief.
Leaders begin to arrive at Mahathir’s residence
8.50am: Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin is the first to arrive at the home of interim Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
His car is seen driving in at 8.05am.
Next up is Mukhriz Mahathir at 8.10am and Rina Harun at 8.20am.
Ex-cabinet members bid farewell to ministries
8.20am: Several former members of the Pakatan Harapan cabinet are posting emotional farewells online as they leave their ministries following the collapse of the government.
Former international trade and industry (Miti) minister Darell Leiking (above) thanks his ex-deputy Ong Kian Ming and other ministry staff and says there is more left to be done.
Meanwhile, former women, family and community development deputy minister Hannah Yeoh posts: “The burden I carry, especially for children, I can lay it down tonight as it is no longer mine to carry. This season comes to an end. For now.”
She, however, says the ministry is in “good hands”, especially as it has just completed its retreat with staff in which the direction, roadmap and area of focus were decided.
“You have the vision, now run with it.”
This as yesterday, Dzulkefly Ahmad posts his last sharing as health minister by informing on the recovery of two more Covid-19 patients.
Cabinet dissolution won't affect tackling of Covid-19
8am: Health Ministry secretary-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah says the dissolution of the cabinet will not affect the government's effort in handling Covid-19.
"All health issues and challenges will be continued as usual," he tells Malaysiakini in a text message.
This is because, Noor Hisham says, the Health Ministry is a technical ministry where all experts are available.
Some have raised concern that the dissolution of the cabinet yesterday would impact the government's effort in tackling the coronavirus.
As of yesterday, a total of 20 patients out of 22 recovered from the coronavirus.
The epidemic has infected close to 80,000 people around the world and killed more than 2,600 as of yesterday.
Bersatu sec-gen denies reports of party leaders quitting
8am: Bersatu secretary-general Marzuki Yahya (below) denies reports that any of the party leaders would be quitting.
"I wish to make clear that we are making stern denial that any of our MPs or Bersatu leaders who have been rumoured to be exiting Bersatu (are leaving).
"We are still intact," he tells reporters after the party's supreme council meeting in Petaling Jaya shortly after midnight.
There were talks that a number of Bersatu leaders would join Dr Mahathir Mohamad in quitting their posts in the party. They include Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and former education minister Maszlee Malik.
Both Syed Saddiq and Maszlee attended the party’s supreme council meeting last night, which decided to reject Mahathir’s resignation as Bersatu chairperson.
Meanwhile, Marzuki also said the party's decision to leave Pakatan Harapan yesterday was a unanimous decision made by the Bersatu supreme council.
According to him, Bersatu leaders have yet to discuss possible cooperation with Umno and PAS but are thankful that the two opposition parties have expressed their support for Mahathir.
Saari Sungip supports Azmin's sacking
7.50am: Hulu Kelang assemblyperson Saari Sungip expresses support for the PKR leadership’s termination of Gombak MP Azmin Ali’s membership.
Saari, whose seat falls within the Gombak parliamentary constituency, says he disagrees with the former PKR deputy president’s actions in allegedly triggering the current political turmoil at a time when the country is battling to contain the spread of Covid-19, facing economic uncertainty and fighting corruption.
“I disagree with Azmin’s actions affecting the Pakatan Harapan government’s administration through a political alliance that will enable Umno and PAS, that have been rejected by the people, to return to power.
“I hold to the people’s mandate in GE14 which elected Harapan as the legitimate government,” he says on Facebook.
Saari adds that he will continue to ensure the welfare of the people of Hulu Kelang and Gombak.
Rais Hussin: Appoint Dzulkefly Ahmad as interim health minister
7.50am: Bersatu's chief strategist Rais Hussin (photo) suggests interim Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad appoint Dzulkefly Ahmad as interim health minister.
Taking to social media, he says this is needed to control the spread of Covid-19 in Malaysia.
"The coronavirus crisis is escalating elsewhere. This appointment is in the best interest of all Malaysians, not for few," said the Emir Research president.
Mahathir's resignation as prime minister yesterday immediately triggered the disbanding of the cabinet.
Day 3 of political upheaval
7.40am: An unprecedented political upheaval which led to the collapse of the 20-month-old Pakatan Harapan government enters Day 3 today.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad is being supported by both sides fighting for control of the federal government, but despite this, no one side has yet to emerge with a clear parliamentary majority.
Mahathir is currently the sole member of government after being appointed interim prime minister by the king yesterday following his shock resignation.
All ministerial posts have been vacated, pending the formation of a new government. - Mkini
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