POST-GE15 DAY 1 | 'An MP’s right to support anyone as PM candidate'

POST-GE15 DAY 1 | The total turnout for yesterday’s 15th general election is around 73 percent - with almost 15.5 million voters taking part.

This is almost 3.2 million more voters than those taking part in the 2018 general election.

Follow our live blog as the Malaysiakini team brings you more news post-general election.

MP’s right to support anyone as PM candidate - Muhyiddin

11.40pm: PN chief Muhyiddin Yassin says it is an individual MP’s right to support anyone as their prime minister candidate.

"According to the Federal Constitution, (majority support for a prime minister) is from MPs, it can be from individuals, groups, or parties," he tells reporters tonight.

He says this in response to BN chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi warning the coalition's MPs to follow his lead on forming the government.

Muhyiddin affirms that an individual MP supporting him as premier would not violate anti-hopping laws as they did not quit their party.

He also says he has enough statutory declarations to prove his claim to a majority.

Najib advises BN to consider long-term interests

10pm: Former premier Najib Abdul Razak advises BN to take into consideration the coalition's long-term interests in forming alliances to take Putrajaya.

The advice from behind bars, relayed by his daughter Nooryana Najwa in a Facebook post, says that negotiations must set aside differences and take into account the views of all BN MPs who won in the 15th general election.

Najib had in 2020 lobbied BN MPs to back Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister, on the condition that DAP is not part of the equation.

Observers say that BN - which has 30 seats - aligning with PN would disadvantage Umno as it would be a junior partner while Bersatu and PAS fill in their spot as the "Malay protectors".

Media hoping to catch Zahid at Anwar's house, KJ calls for resignation

8pm: Astro Awani reports that the media is gathering at Anwar Ibrahim's residence in Sungai Long in anticipation of catching sight of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

However, there have been no signs of Zahid coming or going since the media began gathering there at 5pm. It is also unclear if Anwar is there.

Meanwhile, Khairy Jamaluddin is calling for Zahid to resign.

The defeated Sungai Buloh candidate, who campaigned on a platform of reforming Umno, says a general should resign if his strategy backfires and inflicts heavy casualties on his own troops.

"The president (Zahid) must step down. Now. Umno's reformation can't be delayed anymore," he tweets.

Meanwhile, a group claiming to represent Umno division vice chiefs nationwide has joined the chorus in calling for party president Zahid to resign.

In a statement, Muhammad Anuar Mohd Yunos - the chairperson of the group - says they also want Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan to resign and take responsibility for his failures as BN's election director.

MIC's Youth and Women divisions, as well as the Federal Territories BN Women's wing, have also called for Zahid's resignation.

GPS announces support for Muhyiddin

6.30pm: GPS announces it is backing PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister and would form a coalition government with PN, BN, and Sabah's GRS.

Combined, the four coalitions have 131 seats - sufficient to form a government with a simple majority.

Read more: GPS agrees to form govt with PN, BN, GRS - Abang Johari

Meanwhile, before GPS's decision hit the news, Dewan Rakyat incumbent speaker Azhar Azizan Harun issued a statement saying that he had written to the leaders of parties who have won a substantial amount of seats.

This was in regard to the Yang di Pertuan Agong's request for them to furnish names of those joining together to form a government.

Azhar says a detailed list and statutory declarations affirming support should also be sent to the Palace.

Several Umno members shout ‘undur Zahid’ outside party HQ

5.50pm: Shouts of "undur Zahid" (Zahid step down) reverberate at the Umno headquarters, as dissent against the party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi continues.

Several irate party members say they want to stop Zahid from cooperating with DAP and Pakatan Harapan chief Anwar Ibrahim in order to form the next government.

"Undur Zahid! No DAP! No Anwar!" the Bukti Bintang and KLCC Umno branch members shout.

Resolution soon to be reached soon, PN’s Yong says

5pm: Three quick takeaways from Perikatan Nasional deputy chairperson Yong Teck Lee’s doorstop.

Firstly, he suggests that PN supremo Muhyiddin Yassin has the numbers needed to form a government.

Secondly, he says this majority is achieved with the support of "various parties".

Lastly, he appears to dismiss the possibility of a PN-Harapan tie-up.

Reporter: Will PN work with Harapan?

Yong: (Refer to) what was announced by Muhyiddin last night.

After it became clear that PN came in second in the election and that no one had the majority, Muhyiddin told reporters last night that they will work on forming a government without Harapan.

SAPP is a component party of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Yong serves as its president. He is also one of the five deputy chairpersons of PN.

Meeting at Muhyiddin's residence ends after an hour

4.45pm: Top PAS leaders are leaving PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin's residence in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang waves to reporters but declines requests to stop for comments. Other leaders seen leaving are PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) president Yong Teck Lee is also seen leaving.

Zahid must quit, Umno veterans group says

4.40pm: Ipoh, Perak - More Umno members and leaders are calling for party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to quit - and this time it comes from the Perak Umno Veteran association.

Its chairperson Abdul Khalid Mohd Nasir urges Zahid to resign immediately, citing the latter’s failure in leading Umno and BN resulting in an abysmal defeat in GE15.

“During the campaign period, many stories were spread regarding Zahid’s personality and voters were told that if they vote for BN, they are voting for Zahid.

“This narrative has immense influence and was accepted by ignorant voters who do not care about politics.

“There is no other way, Zahid must take the responsibility and resign immediately and the deputy president (Mohamad Hassan) should replace him in the meantime,” Khalid says at a presser organised at a veteran’s house today.

On the hung state assembly scenario in Perak, Khalid stresses that a mixed government should be formed between Perikatan Nasional and BN.

“No Anwar, No DAP,” he reiterates Umno’s policy against collaborating with the Pakatan Harapan chairperson and the coalition’s component party.

Forgive my flaws for I’m only human - Zuraida

4.30pm: Former Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin apologises to her constituents for any wrongs she has done there in her 15 years of service as their elected representative.

"I have tried my best to give the best service to all, but I am just a person who also has flaws," she says in a brief statement.

Zuraida won the Ampang seat in three general elections under the PKR ticket. She defected from the party in the Sheraton Move.

She was briefly a Bersatu member before joining Parti Bangsa Malaysia where she is currently in a tumultuous power transition with the current party president Larry Sng - who is the party's sole elected representative now.

Zuraida was soundly beaten in a multi-cornered fight for Ampang yesterday and lost her deposit.

While she is disappointed, Zuriada says she is still grateful for the time she had as Ampang MP and congratulated her replacement, Rodziah Ismail from Pakatan Harapan.

Crucial Umno and BN meetings postponed

4pm: Umno's supreme council meeting which was scheduled for 3pm today and the BN supreme council meeting scheduled for 8pm tonight have been postponed.

This was confirmed by Umno supreme council member Bung Moktar Radin and MCA secretary-general Chong Sin Woon.

According to Berita Harian, Bung says he was not sure why the Umno supreme council meeting was postponed and urged reporters to pose the question to Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan.

As for MCA’s Chong, he said his party was "shocked and disappointed" that BN chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi postponed the meeting.

Both meetings were announced by Ahmad Maslan last night.

Top PAS leaders arrive at Muhyiddin’s house

3.30pm: A large convoy of vehicles, one ferrying PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, is seen approaching the home of Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin.

Soon after, Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor arrives.

Kedah PAS chief: Beating Mahfuz was a 'miracle'

3pm: Kedah PAS chief Ahmad Yahaya says beating Pokok Sena incumbent Mahfuz Omar (Pakatan Harapan) was a "miracle".

"We expected to win, but not by such a big majority. It is a miracle.

"To me, it is a signal that the rakyat has very high hopes on Perikatan Nasional to do their best," he says, according to Utusan Malaysia.

Ahmad secured 52,275 votes, trouncing Mahfuz who only managed to win 20,524 votes.

Ku Li to challenge EC’s decision to deny recount

2.20pm: Gua Musang, Kelantan - Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah intends to challenge the Election Commission’s decision to deny a recount in Gua Musang, FMT reports.

This comes after he lost the parliamentary seat by 163 votes to PAS candidate Azizi Abu Naim of PAS who managed 21,826 votes in a four-cornered fight.

Tengku Razaleigh’s office claims that the returning officer denied the request for a recount, despite election guidelines that losing candidates are entitled to a recount if there is a less than four percent margin with the winning candidate.

The 85-year-old was seeking a 13th term in the seat he helmed for 50 years.

KJ: Defeat not the end, I need time to rest and reflect

1:10pm: Kuala Lumpur - Defeated in the race for the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat, Khairy Jamaluddin says he will rest and reflect on the public’s validation of him before deciding his next move.

The caretaker health minister expresses fatigue having had no rest over the past two years steering the country out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a heartfelt message on his Instagram account, Khairy describes Malaysia’s quinquennial polls as “harrowing to be publicly validated” and which tells politicians if they are good enough and sufficiently liked.

“Elections are a basis in any functioning democracy. You have to accept it when people don’t think you are good enough to represent them.

“A loss is a loss, no matter how close you came or how many people express disappointment at your loss,” he says before sharing that he is looking forward to the World Cup on television.

Vehicle with EC chairperson enters Istana

1.05pm: Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur - A vehicle believed to be carrying Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Ghani Salleh enters the National Palace, according to Bernama.

EC confirms Wetrom Bahanda wins Kota Marudu

12.40pm: Wetrom Bahanda of Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat wins Kota Marudu parliamentary seat with a majority of 8,174 votes over incumbent Maximus Ongkili.

This has been confirmed in a brief statement by Election Commission chairperson Abdul Ghani Salleh.

Kota Maradu has been represented by Ongkili since the seat was formed in 2004.

PN in talks with GPS on forming govt

12.30pm: Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin has revealed that the coalition is in talks with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) on the formation of the federal government.

Muhyiddin, in a Facebook post today, says he received visits from GPS chairperson Abang Johari Openg and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang earlier this morning to discuss such matters.

“Negotiations are also being made with other like-minded parties and independent MPs.

“Insyallah (God willing), the federal government will be able to be formed in the near future,” he says.

This follows the results of the 15th general election - which led to a hung Parliament and a scramble to form a government.

Perak EC director has audience with Sultan Nazrin

12pm: Ipoh, Perak - Perak Election Commission (EC) director Mohd Nazri Ismail leaves Istana Kinta after seeking an audience with Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.

It is understood that Nazri, who arrived earlier at the palace at approximately 10am, was here to present the results of the state's 15th general election (GE15).

The royal audience lasted for about an hour with Nazri leaving the palace complex without speaking to the waiting press.

Election results in the silver state have resulted in a hung state assembly with neither coalition obtaining a simple majority from the seat contested in GE15.

According to official results, Perikatan Nasional has 26 seats, Pakatan Harapan has 24 and BN has nine.

Thirty state seats are required to form a simple majority state government in Perak.

Take responsibility for Umno's defeat and resign, Zahid told

12:10pm: Klang, Selangor - Kota Raja Umno Youth chief Sheikh Weshal Sheikh Ahmad is asking Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to take responsibility for Umno’s colossal defeat at the 15th general election and resign his position in the party.

Sheikh Weshal also wants Zahid to make way for the party’s vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob in upcoming negotiations with other parties to form a government.

“Zahid disregarded what was important for the party in his candidacy selection.

“He also failed to understand the electorate’s needs and wants when he pushed for early polls which confused them into thinking the party would win big this election,” he explains.

In a press statement, Sheikh also calls on Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan to keep his promise to resign should the BN coalition lose the election.

Shahidan considers joining PAS

12pm: Kangar, Perlis - Arau MP Shahidan Kassim is considering joining PAS after his success in defending his parliamentary seat as part of the wave that brought Perikatan Nasional dominance in Perlis in yesterday's polls.

Shahidan ran as a direct candidate for PN but used PAS as a 'base' for his candidacy which had been agreed on and approved by the leadership of PAS and PN.

"I contested on the PAS ticket in PN, but I had to be careful first because I was not a member yet due to my direct participation as a PN candidate.

"God willing, I really appreciate and thank PAS for giving me the opportunity to be with them and based on past records, I have never forgotten my friends (PAS and Bersatu)," he says in a press conference celebrating the success at the Complex PAS Perlis today.

He first won the Arau seat in 1986 but was dropped for GE15, only for PN to offer him a ticket.

Shahidan then successfully defended the Arau parliamentary seat with a majority of 23,216 votes defeating his challenger Rozabil Abdul Rahman from BN and Pakatan Harapan's candidate, Fathin Amelina Fazlie.

Election worker who died was Covid-19 positive

9.55am: The election worker who died at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Methodist ACS in Klang was suffering from Covid-19, confirms Selangor Police chief Arjunaidi Mohamed.

"The victim was aged 45 and the cause of death was due to being Covid-19 positive. All police staff who were on duty with the Election Commission officer are now ordered to undergo quarantine," he says.

He also advises the public not to spread fake news that aims to stir up anxiety among the people.

"Strict action will be taken against any party who tries to create a provocation that could threaten public order and national security," he adds.

32 women MPs in new Parliament

8.40am: A total of 32 female candidates out of the 127 who contested parliamentary seats have secured the people's mandate.

Of those contesting parliamentary seats, 16 are Pakatan Harapan candidates, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) five, Perikatan Nasional (PN) seven, three from BN, and one from Warisan.

Among the Harapan candidates who manage to win seats are former deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who won the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat with a majority of 9,817 votes, Teo Nie Ching, Teresa Kok Sim and Hannah Yeoh who retained the Kulai, Seputeh and Segambut seats respectively.

Meanwhile, GPS candidates namely former tourism, arts and culture minister Nancy Shukri secured the Santubong parliamentary seat with a 19,485-vote majority and Rubiah Wang retained the Kota Samarahan parliamentary seat.

Caretaker higher education minister Noraini Ahmad won the Parit Sulong parliamentary constituency with a majority of 11,474 votes after obtaining 25,740 votes while Umno Supreme Council member Azalina Othman Said retained the Pengerang parliamentary seat and Siti Aminah Aching won the Beaufort parliamentary seat.

Mas Ermieyati Samsudin of PN defended the Masjid Tanah seat which she won in GE14 on the BN ticket, after obtaining 25,604 votes with a majority of 4,411 and defeating BN candidate, Abdul Hakim Abdul Wahid.

Warisan Women’s chief Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis became the only female candidate from the party to win a seat when she defended the Kota Belud parliamentary constituency with a majority of 4,582 votes.

Harapan leads in popular vote

8am: An analysis of the votes puts Pakatan Harapan at the forefront of popular votes - at 34.1 percent.

In second place is Perikatan Nasional at 31 percent. When combined with GRS - which mostly consists of Sabah chapters of PN parties - the total becomes 32.2 percent.

Meanwhile, BN came in third place with 25.2 percent of the popular vote.

Kingmaker GPS bagged 4.32 percent of popular votes when considered at a national level.

In the East Malaysian context, however, GPS popular vote share is 30.2 percent - while GRS’ popular vote share in East Malaysia is 8.1 percent.

Sabah-based Warisan bagged 11.8 percent of the East Malaysian popular vote, and 1.8 percent of the popular vote nationally. In Peninsular Malaysia, it received 0.1 percent of votes.

Meanwhile, once mighty Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s party Pejuang and his Gerakan Tanah Air floundered miserably - securing only 0.7 of popular votes nationwide.

READ MORE: Who are PN and Harapan's likely partners?

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