THERE was no political intrigue behind the meeting with Barisan Nasional lawmakers last night, said Mohamed Azmin Ali.

The economic affairs minister dismissed talk that the meeting at his Putrajaya home was to ensure Dr Mahathir Mohamad stays in office, following calls for the prime minister to step down after Pakatan Harapan’s crushing defeat in the Tanjung Piai by-election on Saturday.

Azmin said as a minister, he meets people from all walks of life daily, and there is no reason to speculate about the meeting with the BN MPs.

“It was just a normal meeting. We did nothing extraordinary,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

“Every day, I have meetings. I have a lot of meetings. There are different people… different groups (involved).

“I will meet anyone who wants to meet me. I meet the people, the business community, MPs from PH and the opposition, because as a government that cares about the people, we want to get their feedback on government policies.

“(The meeting) was nothing extraordinary, and the matter should not be stirred up.”

It was speculated that the BN lawmakers were at the PKR deputy president’s house for a meeting to stop attempts to force Dr Mahathir from office.

Among the MPs was Hishammuddin Hussein. It has been said that the former Umno vice-president is linked to efforts to get his party men to join PH.

The meeting started about 9.30pm and lasted two hours.

Those who left the house kept mum on what was discussed.

Azmin has been criticised over the clandestine nature of the meeting, and for holding it at his house instead of in Parliament.

MPs from Umno who showed up last night are expected to be called up by the party’s disciplinary board chairman, Mohamed Apandi Ali, while PKR leaders will seek an explanation from Azmin at their political bureau meeting tomorrow.

Azmin has not attended the party’s political bureau and leadership meetings for about a year due to discord between his faction and president Anwar Ibrahim’s.

Asked if he will attend tomorrow’s political bureau meet, he said he will “check my schedule first”.

The Gombak MP added that he will attend party meetings if he does not have ministerial tasks to settle.

He said he does not remember how many PKR meetings he has missed, but keeps a record.

“I don’t remember. Too much work. But I have a record… when I’m in the country and have no official government matters, I attend party programmes.

“I prioritise government affairs because they are important.” – November 19, 2019.