BERSATU and Umno MPS arrived by chartered buses this morning to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to verify their support for Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob to become prime minister.

The king will over the course of the day meet the 114 Perikatan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, PAS and independent MPs who are backing Ismail.

These lawmakers yesterday submitted to the monarch statutory declarations in support of their prime ministerial candidate.

It is learnt that the first batch of MPs due to meet the king are from East Malaysia. The audience will be held via  via video conferencing.

Earlier today Bangi MP Ong Kiang Ming said the opposition had not received an invitation to an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah..

Ong tweeted: “Morning guys! In case anyone is wondering, no, my colleagues and I didn’t get any calls to go to the Palace today… Have a nice day!”

Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali and Attorney-General Idrus Harun were also seen at Istana Negara this morning.

Ismail arrived at 1.20pm to meet Sultan Abdullah.

Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said last night 114 MPs in Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional, PAS, GPS and who are independent had been summoned to Istana Negara today.

Meanwhile, 105 MPs said to have supported Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim. One MP’s vote is unknown.

Two seats in the 222 seat Dewan Rakyat are vacant following the death of their incumbents last year.

With the support of 114 lawmakers, Ismail has a simple majority to lead a new government.

It was the same number of MPs who enabled Muhyiddin Yassin to take the top office in March last year.

However, the Bersatu chairman was forced to resign on Monday after 15 Umno lawmakers, led by their party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, withdrew their support for him.

Twenty-three other Umno lawmakers, including Ismail, however, continued to back Muhyiddin but that was not enough for the government to stand.

The party lawmakers have since closed ranks and are unanimous in their support of Ismail. – August 19, 2021.