POST-GE15 DAY 2 | Anwar reaches out to GPS, offers alliance

POST-GE15 DAY 2 | The race is on to capture Putrajaya, with both Pakatan Harapan chief Anwar Ibrahim and Perikatan Nasional chief Muhyiddin Yassin claiming to have the majority to take charge.

Malaysiakini brings you more news, post-general election, live from the front lines.

Anwar reaches out to Abang Johari, says better for GPS to work with Harapan

11.59pm: Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim has reached out to his GPS counterpart Abang Johari Openg in a bid to convince the latter to back Harapan in the race for numbers to form the federal government.

“Yes, I reached out to Abang Johari through our trusted representatives and explained why we are better partners for Sarawak and also Sabah,” he tells The Vibes. 

“We have a deep respect for Sarawak and its people and we understand their struggles and needs.

“Sarawak and Sabah just want to be treated fairly and Harapan can offer that,” he adds.

Unverified Instagram post hints at internal Umno discord

10.45pm: Caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s daughter Nina Sabrina’s Instagram story posting of a Whatsapp conversation screenshot, purportedly between her father and several other Umno leaders, has raised eyebrows.

In the screenshot of a Whatsapp group titled “Umno Malaysia division chiefs”, someone whose contact was saved as “PM Ds Ismail Sabri” is seen saying he is ready to be fired but will not work with Pakatan Harapan.

In response, two other contacts - “Dato Seri Tajuddin KB Pasir Salak” and “Dato Abbas KB Batu” - voiced their agreement.

Nina captions the screenshot with “let us be without power, as long as we are not unprincipled”.

Malaysiakini is unable to ascertain the authenticity of the Whatsapp screenshot but has contacted Ismail Sabri and the other leaders named in the screenshot for comment.

Harapan should work with PN, says Mat Hasan

9pm: Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan suggests Pakatan Harapan form a government with Perikatan Nasional (PN) as both the coalitions have a higher number of seats compared to BN.

“We BN accept the rakyat’s decision to reject BN. This means we do not have the power to form the government.

“BN is ready to be an opposition responsible to check and balance the new government,” he says in a Facebook posting.

However, he says if their help is needed in this transition period, BN is ready to contribute to an “open and sincere” discussion.

“If (they) still cannot form the government, please do not blame us. This is the result of the democratic process to return the mandate to the people. We are only respecting the results,” he says.

Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin agrees, saying on his Facebook account that, “Better for PN and Harapan set up their own government”.

IGP warns social media users to not incite

8.30pm - Inspector-general of police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani warns social media users not to misuse their platforms to spread provocative content that could lead to public unrest.

He notes that since the results of GE15 were announced, police have found a number of social media users who uploaded content that touched upon racial and religious sentiment as well as those that insulted the monarchy.

“Firm action under the Communications and Multimedia Act, the Sedition Act as well as the Penal Code will be taken against any parties trying to incite situations that could threaten public peace and safety,” he says in a statement.

Malaysiakini earlier reported that several posts warning about a possible repeat of the deadly May 13, 1969 race riots have been found on TikTok in the 48 hours after polling day on Saturday, which accumulated several hundred thousand views.

Tuan Ibrahim to lead negotiations for PN in Pahang

8pm: Pahang - Perikatan Nasional (PN) supreme council has appointed PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man to head negotiations to form the new Pahang government, says the coalition’s Pahang chief Saifuddin Abdullah.

“Pahang PN will continue negotiations to form the Pahang government as soon as possible,” he adds in a statement.

PN holds 17 state seats in Pahang, compared to BN’s 16 seats and Harapan’s eight seats. The election for the Tioman seat has been postponed to Dec 7 due to an election candidate’s death. At least 21 seats are needed to form the state government.

Earlier, sources told Malaysiakini that BN and Harapan are on track to cooperate to form the Pahang government.

EC: GPS wins Baram

7.10pm: The Election Commission says GPS’ Anyi Ngau has won the Baram election, defeating Pakatan Harapan’s Roland Engan by a majority of 7,399 votes. Independent candidate Wilfred Entika forfeits his election deposit.

The victory brings GPS’ GE15 winnings to 23 parliamentary seats.

The Baram election was postponed after bad weather on Nov 19 forced some polling centres to close.

Only one parliamentary seat and one state seat remain in contention after the elections for both seats were postponed due to the deaths of election candidates.

These are the Padang Serai parliamentary seat in Kedah and the Tioman state seat in Pahang. The election for both seats will be held on Dec 7 instead, while nomination day falls on Nov 24.

BN supreme council meeting concludes, decision likely tomorrow

6.50pm: WTCKL, Kuala Lumpur - BN’s supreme council concludes its meeting without reaching a decision on whom to cooperate with to form a government.

Free Malaysia Today quotes MIC president SA Vigneswaran as saying a decision will likely be made tomorrow instead, adding that his party will follow whatever choice the supreme council makes.

It also quotes MCA president Wee Ka Siong as saying BN’s top brass is considering all possibilities.

“We will come to a decision together tomorrow,” Wee reportedly says.

PM’s Department: No, Hadi is not new PM

6.30pm: The Prime Minister’s Department (PMD) clarifies that a viral poster showing PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang as the prime minister is fake.

The poster depicts Hadi with the words “Congratulations” from the people of PMD for purportedly becoming the 10th prime minister.

“If you’re not sure, don’t share,” the PMD says on its social media.

Warisan wants ‘united’ country, GPS to wait and see

6.10pm: Sabah’s Warisan - whose three MPs could hold the keys to the kingdom - is keeping their cards close to their chest.

Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking, who lost in Penampang on Saturday, declines to reveal who the party would support or if they had been approached.

However, he stresses repeatedly that besides ensuring East Malaysia’s rights are upheld, Warisan wants a “united” country.

“Country is shared by everyone, not just one race or religion... healing the country is important,” he tells Malaysiakini’s Hariz Mohd over the phone.

Meanwhile, Sarawak’s GPS - which had declared support for PN yesterday - appears to be keeping its options open.

The Star quotes PDP president Tiong King Sing as saying that the coalition - which has 22 seats - will wait for political wrangling to be resolved before they make a decision.

“They have to find their own way to resolve it, why do we want to get involved? Of course, for GPS we will discuss among ourselves and the (state) premier (Abang Johari Openg) will make the final decision,” he says.

Meanwhile, China Press reports that Abang Johari refused to comment on the current political situation when leaving the Sarawak state legislature.

Group says hung Parliament ‘normal’, calls for calm

6pm: Former members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption says a hung Parliament is a normal scenario in other parliamentary democratic systems.

They also urge people to remain calm during this negotiation period between coalitions.

The results of GE15 show that Malaysians now have a different and more mature way of making the right decisions, the group says.

“This difference is not a symbol of instability, rather it is an unusual situation that has brought us to recognise the uniqueness of democracy,” they say in a statement.

However, the group acknowledges there is a need for a government to be formed as soon as possible.

“However, there is an urgent need for a resolution to be reached and a government to be formed quickly but carefully, because policies related to governance, integrity, economy, social and the budget that involves the rakyat’s interests must remain the priority and be carried out immediately.

“Therefore, the newly-formed government must be one that truly performs, serves the rakyat, and support the mandate of change for a more robust and dignified Malaysia,” the group says.

The statement is issued by Syed Hamid Albar, Nazir Razak, Hussmuddin Yaacub, Arshad Raji, Edmund Terence Gomez, Tricia Yeoh, Shah Hakim Zain, Maha Balakrishnan, Anas Zubedy, and Christopher Leong.

Saarani swears in for second term as Perak MB

5.50pm: Perak - Perak BN chief Saarani Mohamad has been sworn in for a second term as menteri besar before Sultan Nazrin Shah.

Perak BN had won nine state seats in Saturday’s election but was put back in power with support from Pakatan Harapan - which has 24 seats - crossing the 30-seat simple majority in the state legislature.

Among those who attended the swearing-in ceremony was Perak PKR chief Chang Lih Kang (above, right).

BN top brass still meeting

5.30pm: Kuala Lumpur - The BN supreme council meeting in WTCKL is still ongoing. It began at 2pm.

According to BN’s mouthpiece BN Online, the meeting was attended by BN deputy chief Mohamad Hasan, MCA president Wee Ka Siong, PBRS deputy president Arthur Joseph Kurup, MIC president S Vigneswaran, and Umno vice-president Madzhir Khalid.

Dropped Umno rebels want BN to stay in opposition

5pm - Several Umno division chiefs who weren’t fielded as BN candidates during the Saturday elections are asking their party and coalition to remain in the opposition.

They include Annuar Musa (Ketereh) and Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak).

“The people didn’t give us the mandate. We are ready to be in the opposition... To me, Umno doesn’t have to beg from anyone.

“Unless we are given the prime minister position, then perhaps Umno can support (a new coalition),” says Annuar.

Tajuddin says Umno is supposed to be a dominant party, not play “kingmaker”.

“Does Umno want to support someone else to be prime minister?” asks Tajuddin.

The duo are among several Umno division chiefs who held a press conference at the WTCKL today.

KLSCAH: Patience is a virtue

5pm: Kuala Lumpur - The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) is calling for adequate time to be given to any coalition or party trying to form a government.

In a statement, KLSCAH says it is a convention in Westminster-like systems for the coalition or party with the biggest numbers to try to form a government first.

The group says this was practised in Perak today.

“As we are in an era of multi-party competition, unity governments will become the new normal in politics. The rakyat will have to be calm and rational in going through the formation of new coalitions.

“How we do so will set a precedence for the future,” says KLSCAH.

Sabah BN to follow central leadership’s decision - Bung

5pm: Sabah - Sabah BN chief Bung Moktar Radin says the state chapter will support any decisions made by the coalition’s central leadership in forming the government.

“We will follow the decision to be taken by the coalition (central BN). We have to prioritise the stability of the (federal) government and country,” Bernama quotes him as saying.

BN has seven MPs in Sabah. The Sabah BN chapter is also in an alliance with PN’s Sabah chapter in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)  state government.

Asked about GRS supporting PN chief Muhyiddin Yassin as PM, Bung says the two Sabah coalitions will talk after the federal government is formed.

Bung is among those in Umno’s so-called court cluster. He and his wife are on trial for an RM2.8 million corruption case.

Fahmi to explain to grassroots about working with BN

3.55pm: PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil says they will explain to the grassroots about their cooperation with BN and that the rakyat needs to be prioritised.

“There are those among the supporters who can accept this, and at the same time, we will provide clarification to the grassroots on why we had to go with this move.

“We have to prioritise the rakyat and the country, we need to solve our current problem and we need a more stable situation,” Fahmi tells reporters.

PN's 112 claim: Not true, says Anwar

3.30pm: Looks like things are wrapping up at Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur as Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim is seen leaving the premises, according to senior reporter KOW GAH CHIE.

On Perikatan Nasional's claim that they have at least 112 MPs with them, Anwar simply replies: "Not true. I'm saying it clearly.”

Meanwhile, Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has also denied the claim of his PN counterpart Hamzah Zainudin that PN has more than 112 statutory declarations in support of it forming a government.

"We take a stand based on the statement of BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that any statutory declaration or any negotiation with other parties by any Umno MP is invalid and cannot be taken into account as evidence of majority support to any prime minister candidate.

"Harapan has entered a serious negotiation phase with BN and the negotiations have discussed the main points that touch on political stability and economic recovery, by putting the interests of the people and the state as a priority.

"The outcome of the discussion will be finalised in the near future," says Saifuddin in a statement.

He says Harapan is also aware of Hishammuddin Hussein's denial over a media statement that went viral claiming to have a list of 10 Umno MPs supporting Muhyiddin Yassin as a prime minister candidate.

"Therefore, Harapan is of the opinion that the PN secretary-general's statement is premature, impossible and inconclusive in terms of majority support figures they claimed to have achieved," he adds.

BN top brass to meet today

3.15pm: MIC president S Vigneswaran is at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur for the BN supreme council meeting.

"It is supposed to take place at 2pm. I don't know until what time," he tells reporters.

This suggests that the meeting is delayed.

Peja: New Perak govt a 'recipe for disaster'

3.10pm: Perak Perikatan Nasional chief Ahmad Faizal Azumu describes the new BN-Pakatan Harapan government in Perak as a "recipe for disaster".

"What happened to the Umno general assembly decision of 'No Anwar' and 'No DAP'?

"Perak PN will not work with Harapan because they include DAP, which is rejected by most Malays. We will also not work with those who are tainted by corruption," he says in a statement.

PN has 26 seats in the 59-seat Perak assembly, making them the biggest bloc. However, they did not manage to find four more lawmakers needed to make up the majority.

BN's Saarani Mohamad is set to be sworn in as menteri besar today.

Hishammuddin: List of MPs rejecting Harapan is fake

3pm: Johor Bahru, Johor - The office of Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein has clarified that the statement with a list of MPs purportedly rejecting PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and DAP is a fake.

His press secretary informs a media group that the list - which has the names of 10 MPs - is fake.

The alleged 10 MPs are from Sembrong (Hishamuddin himself), Kuala Pilah (Adnan Abu Hassan), Jelebu (Jalaluddin Alias), Jempol (Shamsulkahar Deli), Simpang Renggam (Hasni Mohammad), Tenggara (Manndrzi Nasib), Lipis (Abdul Rahman Mohamad), Paya Besar (Ahmad Azam Mohd Salleh), Tampin (Mohd Isam Mohd Isa) and Titiwangsa (Johari Abdul Ghani).

MCA's Wee says he did not meet Harapan MPs

2pm - MCA president and Ayer Hitam MP Wee Ka Siong clarifies that he only met BN MPs at the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur this morning and not Harapan MPs.

"I stress that there were no meetings between BN and Harapan MPs when I was there from 10am to noon.

"What is certain is that I only attended a meeting between the BN MPs and the BN chairperson," says Wee on his Facebook page.

He adds that BN can only make decisions for its MPs through the BN supreme council.

Wee says he was surprised to see Harapan MPs at the hotel and doesn't know if it was by design or a coincidence.

Two KDM MPs back Muhyiddin

2pm: Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM)’s two MPs will back Perikatan Nasional prime minister candidate Muhyiddin Yassin, according to Astro Awani.

KDM - a splinter party of Warisan - won Kota Marudu. Riduan Rubin, who won Tenom as an independent, joined KDM during the campaign period.

Another Sabah independent MP, Verdon Bahanda (Kudat) also declared his support for Muhyiddin.

With the trio's support, Muhyiddin potentially has 108 MPs, if four BN lawmakers - including Johor Umno chief Hasni Mohammad - support him as well.

PN, however, claims it has 112 MPs and has submitted their names to the palace.

PN submits SDs to Agong

1.45pm: Perikatan Nasional has submitted its statutory declarations to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in support of Muhyiddin Yassin as the 10th prime minister.

PN secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin says the number of statutory declarations exceeded 112, which is the majority vote needed for the appointment of a prime minister under Article 43 of the Federal Constitution.

Agong greets media outside palace, urges calm

1.40pm: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah makes a quick visit to media members gathering outside Gate 2 of Istana Negara.

The king does not entertain any questions but urges calm and patience, saying a caretaker government is in place to handle daily affairs.

"Hope you all can remain patient, things are taking some time, be calm.

"The caretaker government is still there to run things as usual," he says.

Sultan Abdullah also says to refer to his statement released moments earlier, that a deadline for political parties to submit their coalition partners has been extended to 2pm tomorrow.

The king then goes back in while palace staff distribute packed lunches in bags bearing the official crest.

Palace extends deadline by 24 hours

1.40pm: Istana Negara extends the deadline for political parties and MPs to nominate the next prime minister.

In a statement, the Comptroller of the Royal Household for Istana Negara Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin says the new deadline is 2pm tomorrow.

"His Majesty advises the public to be patient and calm until the process of forming a new government and nomination of a new prime minister is completed," says Ahmad Fadil.

He says that during this interim process, the country is still being administered normally under the care of a caretaker prime minister.

Harapan gives way in Perak, Pahang for Putrajaya

1.40pm: Pakatan Harapan is giving way to BN in Perak to lead the state government despite having 24 state seats while BN has nine.

Harapan is also on track to back BN in Pahang where there is also a hung assembly.

The move is most likely aimed at securing support from BN at the federal level.

Harapan has 82 MPs, while 26 out of 30 BN MPs appear set to back Anwar Ibrahim as premier.

Parti Bangsa Malaysia's Larry Sng - who is the Julau MP - is also at the Seri Pacific Hotel, giving Anwar 109 MPs.

If Anwar can secure Warisan's three MPs, he will have 112 - enough to form a government.

Saarani stays as Perak MB, to swear in today

1.30pm: Perak palace spokesperson Annuar Zaini reveals at a press conference that the state BN and Harapan have both agreed to back incumbent menteri besar Saarani Mohamad as their sole candidate for the office.

A swearing-in ceremony will be held at 5.30pm today.

Annuar says in the interest of fairness, Sultan Nazrin Shah had also met with Perikatan Nasional - who is the largest single coalition with 26 seats - to ask if they could form a government, to which the latter replied in the negative.

Correction: Only 26 BN MPs show up

1.15pm: Only 26 BN MPs heed their leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's summon to the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur today.

We now know that newly elected Simpang Renggam MP Hasni Mohammad didn't show up.

The other three are Adnan Abu Hassan (Kuala Pilah), Hishamuddin Hussein (Sembrong) and Jalaluddin Alias (Jelebu).

Media members on standby at Istana Negara

12.55pm: Media members gather outside Gate 2 of Istana Negara since early this morning for the arrival of political party leaders seeking an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Two tents and tables are set up to facilitate coverage. Police personnel are seen on duty guarding the area.

Palace personnel provides food for breakfast and lunch, and other deliveries are also shared among the media.

Johor Umno in two minds?

12.50pm: Looks like Johor Umno is in two minds over how the party should handle the formation of a new federal government.

In a statement, Johor Umno chief Hasni Mohammad singles out DAP specifically as the party which Umno should not work with.

"For now, the priority of parties in Malaysia is to form a political coalition that is stable and a government that is capable of functioning and is moderate.

"Therefore, Johor Umno is of the position that (any) coalition that is formed should not involve DAP," he says.

Meanwhile, Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi - who by default is a member of the Umno supreme council - is against any negotiations with Pakatan Harapan because that is the stand of the party.

He says any decision otherwise can only be made by the Umno and BN supreme councils respectively.

"Any decision by the party president without this process will be invalid. Our last decision was that Umno will not work with Anwar (Ibrahim) or DAP.

"We must continue to have dignity and be principled even when we are tested by defeat. God willing, there are lessons to be learned (in defeat)," he says in a statement.

Saarani to have audience with Sultan Nazrin

12.45pm: Perak BN chief Saarani Mohamad is also at Istana Kinta in Ipoh now for an audience with the state ruler.

Earlier, DAP's Howard Lee left the state palace but declined to divulge any details to the media.

Saarani is expected to keep his job as menteri besar under the new Pakatan Harapan-BN state government.

GRS backing Muhyiddin for PM

12.40pm: Over at Kota Kinabalu, Bernama is reporting that the six MPs who contested under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) are backing Muhyiddin Yassin to be prime minister.

GRS leader Hajiji Noor says this was decided during a meeting with Muhyiddin last night and GRS deputy chief Jeffrey Kitingan was present.

"GRS' position is that a federal government has to be formed soon to ensure the government can function optimally, especially in finalising Budget 2023," he says.

Perak DAP treasurer arrives at Istana Kinta

12.30pm: FMT reports that Perak DAP treasurer Howard Lee has arrived at Istana Kinta in Ipoh, supposedly for an audience with Sultan Nazrin Shah.

Earlier, Howard - who is Ipoh Timor MP - went to the Perak Umno headquarters.

Pakatan Harapan and BN have reached an agreement to form the state government, with BN expected to retain the menteri besar's office.

Is this the ‘Seri Pacific’ move?

12.05pm: Pakatan Harapan and BN MPs are mingling at the Seri Pacific Hotel lobby.

A photograph of top brass lounging in a separate room is circulating as well.

On the BN side, there's Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Arthur Kurup and M Savaranan.

On the Harapan side, there's Anwar Ibrahim, Mohamad Sabu, Rafizi Ramli and V Sivakumar.

Parti Bangsa Malaysia president Larry Sng and his father Chee Hua are in the vicinity as well. Sng retained the Julau seat on Saturday. His party is not part of BN or Harapan.

Muhyiddin may be denied majority

12pm: With a majority of BN MPs closing ranks to decide on their future as a bloc, Perikatan Nasional's Muhyiddin Yassin may be denied a majority to become prime minister.

Only three BN MPs are absent from Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's press conference, of whom two, Hishamuddin Hussein (Sembrong) and Jalaluddin Alias (Jelebu), openly rejected Harapan.

PN has 73 seats, while its allies GPS and GRS have 22 and seven seats respectively.

Assuming the three absent BN MPs - including Adnan Abu Hassan (Kuala Pilah) are with Muhyiddin - this only adds up to 104, seven short of the current 111 simple majority.

Even if Muhyiddin gets support from PBM (1), KDM (1) and two Sabah independents, he would be three short of a majority.

He would need Warisan's three MPs on his side or more BN MPs to cross the finish line.

BN seeks deadline extension; MPs attendance 27/30

11.30am: BN MPs hope Istana Negara will extend its deadline for them to decide on who gets to be the next prime minister.

BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says party rules dictate that only the BN supreme council can make decisions for the MPs.

But before the supreme council can decide, a committee, presumably involving Pakatan Harapan, will have to discuss the terms first before forming a new government, he says.

This is the decision of 27 BN MPs after a meeting in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur today.

Only 27 of 30 BN MPs are here. According to BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, two were sick - Jalaluddin Alias (Jelubu) and Adnan Abu Hassan (Kuala Pilah).

Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein, among the absentees, says he wants no part of this deal.

"I reiterate that I am against working with Pakatan Harapan. I would rather be sacked from the party rather than change my position - 'No Anwar, no DAP'.

"If anyone wants to sack me for holding this position, go ahead," he writes on his Facebook page.

BN and Harapan reach deal in Perak

11.15am: Perak BN and Pakatan Harapan agree to form a government in Perak, according to a Harapan spokesperson.

Harapan has 24 seats in Perak while BN has nine. The opposition Perikatan Nasional has 26 seats. Perak has a 59-seat assembly.

Zahid about to address the press

11.00am: BN chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is getting ready to hold a press conference at the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

He surrounds himself with other BN MPs.

Anwar arrives for meeting with BN

10.30am: Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim arrives at the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur where he is expected to have a meeting with BN top brass.

Moments earlier, MIC deputy president and Tapah MP M Saravanan says he is attending the meeting to hear the views of his BN colleagues.

Saravanan says he looks forward to seeing a stable government, reports NG XIANG YI.

Mat Hasan: We will put our heads together

10.15am: Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan tells reporters at the Seri Pacific Hotel that 30 BN MPs are gathering today to "put our heads together".

"We will discuss and explore all possibilities," he says, reports KOW GAH CHIE.

He refuses to entertain questions on whether Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should step down or why Pakatan Harapan leaders are here as well.

Meanwhile, Pengerang MP Azalina Othman Said tells reporters that BN MPs have to make a collective decision.

"We have 'anti-hopping' laws. That should be our guidance. We must move as a bloc. We can't do things individually," says Azalina, reports NG XIANG YI.

She says this in response to a question on whether she would object to working with Pakatan Harapan.

Ismail Sabri: Only BN supreme council can decide

10am: Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob appears to suggest that BN chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi cannot unilaterally decide on BN's allegiances.

Speaking to reporters outside the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Ismail Sabri says only the BN supreme council can make such decisions.

"We stood on a BN (ticket) and not Umno. Decisions must be made by the BN supreme council. If not, any (other) decisions are not valid," says Ismail Sabri, reports KOW GAH CHIE.

Meanwhile, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan and Tanjung Piai MP Wee Jeck Seng are also spotted at the hotel.

Harapan, BN top brass spotted at KL hotel

9.45am: Several Pakatan Harapan and BN top leaders are at Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

They are Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan, Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin and PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

A delegation from Amanah is also here - president Mohamad Sabu, his deputy Salahuddin Ayub and Malacca chief Adly Zahari.

They are expected to have a meeting today on the formation of a new government. We explained more in an earlier story here.

Both Ahmad and Khaled tell reporters that they have been invited to a meeting involving BN MPs and BN head Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

When asked why Harapan figures are also here, Khaled says he is unaware of that.

Voting resumes in Baram

8.30am: Voting for the Baram parliamentary seat continues today at 12 polling stations.

As these are rural polling stations with relatively few voters, voting will end at 12.30pm with the exception of SK Long Luteng (2pm) and SK Long Moh (1pm).

On Saturday, voting was suspended in 11 of the 194 voting stations for Baram due to bad weather.

RH TK John Jau Wan in Long Semiang is an additional voting station.

Incumbent Anyi Ngau (GPS) is facing off against Rolang Engan (Pakatan Harapan) and Wilfred Entika (IND).

Don’t enter any coalition, Umno man tells BN

7.20am: Former Umno information chief Shahril Hamdan says BN should not enter into any coalition.

In a Facebook post last night, he says BN has no moral standing to join any government after its defeat in GE15.

Instead, Shahril says, BN should remain in the opposition and only provide "technical support" for any prospective government to get a prime minister appointed, and to approve any fiscal bills.

Essentially, a confidence and supply agreement.

BN and Umno are at a crossroads and in danger of splitting in half, with Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's camp allegedly leaning towards Harapan, and Ismail Sabri Yaakob's faction leaning towards PN.

Malay daily Kosmo, citing sources, reported that 20 out of 30 BN MPs will back PN, while only 10 are willing to support Harapan.

Former attorney-general Tommy Thomas said, in a statement, that since Harapan won the most seats and votes, it should be given the first shot at forming the government.

YOURSAY | Harapan should be given first shot at forming govt

Harapan and BN to meet at Seri Pacific tomorrow - coalition sources

Anwar maintains he has the numbers, hopes for chance to lead country

Zahid rebuffs GPS' claims, reminds BN MPs of their pledge to him

Embattled BN now finds itself in the kingmaker spot

BN conspicuously absent in Muhyiddin's statement claiming majority

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

Warisan supports govt that can bring stability to country - Shafie