Questions remain following separate meetings involving several political parties yesterday amid talk of a possible realignment of the country’s political landscape.
Party leaders were tight-lipped as to what was discussed at the closed-door meetings, in the federal capital and Petaling Jaya, which drew intense media attention.
PKR deputy president Azmin Ali did not reveal much when he spoke at 11.30pm to the waiting newsmen at the Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel where he had met with PKR leaders aligned to him.
“We will continue with our struggle to implement the reformation agenda and develop the country and bring prosperity to all Malaysians,” he said and thanked the journalists who had endured the long wait to see him.
The hotel was also the venue where leaders of several other parties, including the opposition Umno and PAS, had also converged tonight.
Conversely PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, the designated successor to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad under Pakatan Harapan's election agreement said during an event at his Bukit Segambut residence tonight, said that his side is awaiting information on what he described as an attempt to set up a new government.
It is learnt that Anwar is scheduled to have an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah this afternoon.
Earlier yesterday, Umno held a special supreme council meeting for about two hours from 4pm at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).
Bersatu also held a special meeting at the party headquarters at Menara Yayasan Selangor in Petaling Jaya, chaired by party chairman Mahathir,, who declined to comment when reporters swarmed around the 94-year-old prime minister as he left the premises.
Several MPs from political parties in Sabah and Sarawak also held meetings in the federal capital.
Istana Negara was also a hive of activity as many vehicles were seen entering the palace grounds from about 5.30pm, some with police escort. These vehicles were seen leaving about two hours later.
At the Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel, leaders from Bersatu, PKR, Umno, MCA, MIC and PAS attended a dinner for MPs.
Among the leaders were Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, MCA president Wee Ka Siong, MIC president and Dewan Negara president SA Vigneswaran and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.
A recap of events:
9am-1pm
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) leaders and MPs gather at Bersatu headquarters at Menara Yayasan Selangor in Petaling Jaya.
Prime Minister and Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir arrives for the meeting. Later, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin joins the meeting.
PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin seen at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel.
1pm-4pm
Larut MP Hamzah Zainuddin and Works Minister Baru Bian seen at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) holds a meeting at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur.
Dr Mahathir leaves Bersatu headquarters after chairing Bersatu meeting.
UMNO secretary-general Annuar Musa arrives at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) for UMNO supreme council meeting.
Media personnel gather at the gates of Istana Negara.
4pm-7pm
Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah of PKR arrives at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel. Questioned by reporters, he says it’s “a meeting among friends".
PKR vice-president Tian Chua arrives at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel.
More than 20 vehicles seen entering Istana Negara grounds.
Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Mohd Shafie Apdal arrives at The Ritz-Carlton.
Umno leaders conclude emergency supreme council meeting at PWTC.
Zikir, selawat and yasin recitals, and solat hajat (prayer of need) at the residence of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim in Segambut.
Umno treasurer Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (above) arrives at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel.
7pm-9pm
Bersatu Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Annuar Musa arrive at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel.
Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein of Umno arrives at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang arrives at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrives at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel.
Muhyiddin arrives at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel.
9pm-midnight
Abdul Hadi Awang leaves Sheraton Hotel.
Reformasi chants are heard at Anwar Ibrahim’s house.
Ahmad Zahid leaves Sheraton.
A few PKR leaders arrive at Anwar's house. Among them are Wangsa Maju MP Dr Tan Yee Kew, Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh, Batu MP P Prabakaran and PKR co-founder Syed Husin Ali.
Azmin Ali gives a doorstep statement to reporters while leaving the hotel.
- Bernama
