Zahid: BN MPs need more time to decide

BN MPs are seeking more time to decide who they are backing to form the next federal government.

This was revealed by BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who chaired a meeting with the coalition lawmakers today.

There were at least three absentees - Adnan Abu Hassan (Kuala Pilah), Hishamuddin Hussein (Sembrong) and Jalaluddin Alias (Jelebu).

Zahid indicated that the MPs are bound by rules to act in accordance with the decision of the BN supreme council. It is uncertain when the council will meet.

However, this meant that any claims that BN had already committed to forming a federal government Perikatan Nasional (PN) were untrue.

"There is no discussion with PN (yet)," said Zahid during a press conference at the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, flanked by BN MPs.

Negotiation committee formed

The Umno president revealed that a negotiation committee has been set up, presumably with Pakatan Harapan, on forming a new federal government.

Zahid did not entertain any questions from reporters.

However, it was clear that when he held the press conference, negotiations had not begun.

Meanwhile, the BN MPs present had also unanimously agreed to write to the Dewan Rakyat speaker by 2pm today.

"We hope that the speaker would extend the deadline to something more flexible for us to submit our statutory declarations after a decision is made, based on discussions that we will conduct with others," he said.

Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob, when met by reporters later, said the statutory declarations seeking the time extension had been signed by the MPs.

On whether the Harapan leaders present signalled ongoing negotiations, Ismail Sabri replied in the negative.

"No negotiations. We have guests. We were chatting only," he said.

Soon after, photographs of Zahid and other BN and Harapan top brass in a hotel lounge room began circulating, suggesting that discussions had commenced.

BN-Harapan on course to form govt in Pahang

Citing UK convention, ex-AG says Agong must appoint Anwar as PM

Perlis PN will present MB candidate's name to state ruler today

Perak Harapan backs BN to form state govt, Saarani stays as MB

As Zahid keeps mum, some Umno leaders weigh options

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

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