YANG di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah will interview members of parliament individually today and tomorrow to gauge who should become the next prime minister, said Istana Negara today.

Comptroller of the Royal Household, Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, told the media today that the Agong will be meeting a group of 90 lawmakers from 2.30pm today, and the rest tomorrow.

“The MPs will then be divided into smaller groups and the Agong will meet them individually.

“They are not divided according to the parties but will be seen individually.

“His majesty will conduct the interview himself, and it will be witnessed by the chief secretary to the government.”

He added that all the MPs have been informed of the interview sessions yesterday.

This is the first time such a move is used to appoint a prime minister.

“This is the first time such a process is being undertaken,” said Fadil.

He added that every MP will be given about two to three minutes to be with the ruler.

The political landscape of the country is under turmoil following the resignation of Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the prime minister yesterday.

Things worsened after Bersatu pulled out of Pakatan Harapan yesterday, followed by the former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and 10 MPs from PKR, leaving the pact without a majority in Parliament.

While PKR, DAP and Amanah are trying to save their mandate, PAS and Umno are working with Muhyiddin Yassin and Azmin to form a new government at the federal level.

The Agong yesterday accepted Dr Mahathir’s resignation but appointed him as the interim prime minister.

The cabinet, meanwhile, automatically ceased following Dr Mahathir’s resignation. – February 25, 2020.