Mat Sabu: I asked for Parliament to reconvene
Several politicians are scheduled to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah at the Istana Negara today, a process that is expected to last several days.
It is understood that the Covid-19 pandemic situation and the ending of the emergency are among the issues expected to be discussed at the meetings.
Malaysiakini reports from the ground.
Mat Sabu says he asked for Parliament to reconvene
4:06pm: Like his PKR and DAP counterparts, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu makes a quick stop on his way out of Istana Negara.
Dressed in a black suit and matching songkok, he said he requested for Parliament to reconvene during his meeting with the Agong.
“I asked for Parliament to be reopened so that we can have a sitting.
“Like in the UK where more sittings were held when the Covid-19 pandemic was at its worse.
“This is because the rakyat want to know what is the government’s programmes to address Covid-19. But for us, Parliament is closed when Covid-19 worsens,” he says.
Asked if Perikatan Nasional’s legitimacy was raised during the meeting, the Kota Raja MP said no.
Guan Eng: Meeting 'mostly' about financial aid for rakyat
3:15pm: DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng leaves the palace 75 minutes after arriving.
He alights from his white Toyota Vellfire and tells the media that his meeting with the Agong was “mostly” about how the rakyat needed financial aid amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lim declines to answer when questioned if the Agong had asked DAP on its position on the government.
“I don’t want to comment on...
Several politicians are scheduled to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah at the Istana Negara today, a process that is expected to last several days.
It is understood that the Covid-19 pandemic situation and the ending of the emergency are among the issues expected to be discussed at the meetings.
Malaysiakini reports from the ground.
Mat Sabu says he asked for Parliament to reconvene
4:06pm: Like his PKR and DAP counterparts, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu makes a quick stop on his way out of Istana Negara.
Dressed in a black suit and matching songkok, he said he requested for Parliament to reconvene during his meeting with the Agong.
“I asked for Parliament to be reopened so that we can have a sitting.
“Like in the UK where more sittings were held when the Covid-19 pandemic was at its worse.
“This is because the rakyat want to know what is the government’s programmes to address Covid-19. But for us, Parliament is closed when Covid-19 worsens,” he says.
Asked if Perikatan Nasional’s legitimacy was raised during the meeting, the Kota Raja MP said no.
Guan Eng: Meeting 'mostly' about financial aid for rakyat
3:15pm: DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng leaves the palace 75 minutes after arriving.
He alights from his white Toyota Vellfire and tells the media that his meeting with the Agong was “mostly” about how the rakyat needed financial aid amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lim declines to answer when questioned if the Agong had asked DAP on its position on the government.
“I don’t want to comment on that. It is better to leave this to the wisdom of the Agong,” he says.
He is flanked by Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim.
Amanah chief arrives
3pm: Amanah president Mohamad Sabu has arrived at the palace in a white Honda CRV.
The Kota Raja MP waved at the media outside the palace gates as he passed by.
The DAP delegation, meanwhile, has not left the Istana Negara.
DAP leaders enter palace
1.55pm: The DAP delegation has arrived at the palace in a white Vellfire.
Besides its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim was also spotted in the MPV.
It is unclear whether Sim will be meeting the Agong as well.
GPS to meet Agong via video call
12pm: The leaders of GPS will meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong via video call next Monday (June 14), according to Bernama.
This was confirmed by Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg's office. Abang Johari is also the GPS chairperson.
GPS is a Sarawak-based coalition comprising PBB, PRS, PDP and SUPP.
It was formerly part of the Sarawak chapter of BN which broke away to form an independent bloc following BN's defeat in the 2018 general election.
PBB is represented by Abang Johari while PRS, PDP and SUPP are led by James Masing, Tiong King Sing and Sim Kui Hian respectively.
Anwar leaves Istana Negara
11.54am: Anwar Ibrahim has left the palace after meeting the king for almost an hour.
Speaking to the media outside the palace gates, the PKR president said a change of government was not discussed during the audience.
"That matter did not arise," he said.
Asked why the Agong had summoned party leaders for an audience, he replied: "That is up to His Majesty. But based on my experience just now, His Majesty is open to hearing everyone's views."
Read more: Anwar says new govt didn't arise in Agong meet, appeals to end emergency
The opposition leader said among the matters he discussed with the king were the Covid-19 situation, and public and investor confidence.
Anwar said he also pleaded with the king to end the state of emergency, saying it was not needed to tackle Covid-19 and that it could hurt the economy.
PM's meeting routine pre-cabinet audience
11am: The palace in a Facebook post, clarified that Muhyiddin's meeting with the king this morning was a routine pre-cabinet audience.
It is unclear if this means Muhyiddin will be coming back to the palace later in his capacity as Bersatu president.
Anwar arrives
10.37am: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has arrived at the palace.
He was seen entering through Gate 2 aboard a black Jaguar.
Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairperson, had previously lobbied the king to install him as prime minister after claiming to have achieved a "strong, convincing" majority.
However, this did not pan out after the palace said the Port Dickson MP failed to furnish a list of lawmakers backing him.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is expected to meet the king later this afternoon.
Unity government on the cards?
The unusual nature of the meetings between party leaders and the king has attracted much speculation as to their purpose, since the palace is normally forthright about audiences granted to political leaders.
Some analysts believe the formation of a unity government may be on the cards.
Read more: Will the palace get warring factions to make peace?
Political scientist Wong Chin Huat also breaks down how the meetings could impact Parliament being re-opened.
Read more: Political ceasefire before Parliament reopens - what are the options?
Muhyiddin leaves the palace
8.56am: Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has left the palace about an hour after he arrived.
PM arrives at palace
7.50am: Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has arrived as Istana Negara, according to a Bernama report.
As prime minister, Muhyiddin usually meets the king before a cabinet meeting on Wednesday to discuss matters concerning the country's administration.
It is understood that the Agong is scheduled to receive the heads of political parties, including Muhyiddin as Bersatu president, separately starting today.
Yesterday, Khairuddin Abu Hassan, a member of the opposition's committee lobbying for an end to the state of emergency, said that the king had agreed to a meeting with the leaders of all political parties.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng have also received invitations from Istana Negara for an audience with the king, but the time for these meetings has yet to be ascertained.
