KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has received an invitation for an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Thursday, said Pejuang’s information chief.
Ulya Aqamah Husamudin told Bernama that, while the time has yet to be set, the Pejuang founder will have an audience with the king on Thursday.
“The invite from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was received last week,” said Ulya Aqamah.
However, Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan and MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon denied having knowledge of the matter.
Meanwhile, Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau and MIC president Tan Sri S. A. Vigneswaran said they did not receive any official invite from the palace.
Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan could not confirm if his party received an invite but acknowledged he heard about the recent speculation.
“I heard about it (invite to have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong). I did not go to the office… not sure whether (Umno) received a letter.”
As for PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, he told Bernama to refer the matter to Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan, who is a member of a committee for ending the emergency declaration.
“Refer to Khairuddin… he might know more than us.”
Yesterday, The Vibes reported that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had invited all political party leaders to discuss the end of the emergency and reopening of Parliament in August.
It is understood that the Agong is seeking counsel from his fellow rulers on whether he should meet all MPs to ascertain if the present leadership and Perikatan Nasional government still hold parliamentary majority.
It is also believed that the Conference of Rulers is of the opinion that, with the increasing number of Covid-19 cases and fatalities, and a healthcare system on the brink of collapse, it is evident that the emergency declared on January 12 is ineffective.
The ongoing state of emergency is due to expire on August 1. – The Vibes, June 8, 2021