PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has arrived at Istana Bukit Serene in Johor Baru for his meeting with the sultan of Johor.

Dr Mahathir’s vehicle was seen entering Istana Bukit Serene at 3.57pm. The prime minister was driven straight to the place as soon as he landed at the Senai International Airport about 30 minutes earlier.

He had said earlier that his appointment with Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar was a normal meeting and has nothing to do with the meeting of Malay rulers soon to elect the next Yang di-Pertuan Agong after Sultan Muhammad V abdicated on Sunday.

“I just want to see him, that is all,” Dr Mahathir had been reported as saying earlier today.

Today’s meeting between the duo is the first since Dr Mahathir became prime minister in May.

Yesterday, Dr Mahathir’s press secretary Endie Shazlie Akhbar denied speculation that the meeting was related to the election of the new King.

Sources at the Prime Minister’s Office had also said the meeting was held following a request by Sultan Ibrahim a few weeks ago.

It is learnt that the two will be having a private meeting, with nobody else in attendance. – January 10, 2019.