KUCHING, Aug 19: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)’ 18 MPs are among the 114 lawmakers who have been summoned to have an audience with the King at Istana Negara today to verify their stand, following the signing of statutory declarations to back Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the country’s next prime minister.
National news outlets have reported that the 114 lawmakers will hold an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in batches between 10am and 5pm.
In a Bernama live broadcast today, it was reported that GPS members were seen entering the Palace at 10.44am after a bus and 10 vehicles ferrying Umno members entered at 10.38am.
According to sources, the MPs are from various parties including GPS, Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah STAR and several independents that were part of the previous PN-led administration.
It was also revealed that a timetable has been set for the Royal audience with 18 Members of Parliament (MPs) from GPS and six from Bersatu in the first meeting at 10am.
The subsequent meeting at 11.10am was set for 25 MPs, consisting of 12 MPs from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) including party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, three independent MPs and 10 Umno MPs.
The next meeting at 2pm is set for 25 MPs, involving 12 MPs from Umno, and 13 Bersatu MPs.
The subsequent meeting is at 3.10pm, with 12 MPs from Umno, two from MCA, one from MIC, one from PBRS, one independent and three Umno MPs.
The last meeting is at 4.20pm, with all 18 MPs from PAS.
A source said that the King wants to verify their position on supporting Ismail Sabri.
Meanwhile, the opposition said it has not received an invite for an audience with the King.
This latest development comes a day after Wednesday’s deadline for MPs to submit their one prime minister nominee to lead the country.
However, the King decreed on Wednesday that the MP chosen to succeed caretaker Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would still need to pass a confidence vote in Parliament to affirm his legitimacy.
Meanwhile, the King has called for a meeting with the country’s nine State Malay Rulers on Friday (Aug 20) to discuss the nominations for the next prime minister and possibly resolving the month-long political crisis that has left the nation without a leader for the second time in 18 months. — DayakDaily
