S'wak and Sabah CMs spotted at same hotel

• UPDATED 5.45PM | Added details of Shafie Apdal's appearance at the meeting.

Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal were spotted at the same hotel this afternoon, adding another twist to the many political meetings taking place today in or near the capital. 

Abang Johari had chaired a two-hour meeting with Gabungan Parti Sarawak colleagues this afternoon and left the venue at around 4pm. 

He returned later at about 5.30pm and Shafie (below) showed up soon after.

None of the  GPS MPs approached responded to queries from reporters on the purpose of the meeting. No MPs from Warisan, which Shafie leads, were seen.

GPS is a coalition of four parties native to Sarawak. They have 18 MPs combined. Warisan and its Sabah ally Upko has 10 MPs. 

When Abang Johari briefly left the building, party leaders and MPs stayed put and lounging at the hotel.

They are believed to be the second group of MPs to be gathering today, with the other group being about a dozen MPs loyal to PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.

These meetings seem to be held concurrently with a meeting by the leadership of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's party Bersatu in Petaling Jaya.

The unusualness of the meeting by GPS leaders and Azmin loyalists, coupled with the coyness of Bersatu leaders, have sent the political circles on overdrive with many speculations of an impending change of government.

Officially, Abang Johari said in the past that GPS would back Mahathir as prime minister if his position was challenged.

In recent weeks, there were claims that one group was seeking the support of 138 MPs from various parties to back Mahathir as prime minister indefinitely. 

It was also reported that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had sought the support of party leaders to back Mahathir. 

PAS, which has 18 seats in Parliament, said they would be tabling a motion of confidence in Mahathir.

This plan has since been cancelled after Pakatan Harapan's presidential council resolved that Mahathir was to be prime minister for as long as he likes. 

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