[UPDATED] Focus on Agong’s decision as Istana shuts gate after rulers’ meet

KUALA LUMPUR – After over four hours, the Conference of Rulers has concluded its high-level meeting to discuss the state of emergency and other pertinent national matters.

Royal entourages were seen exiting the Istana Negara compound beginning 7pm, with the Perlis motorcade the last to depart at 7.06pm.

The meeting, which was chaired by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, started at 2.30pm.

Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had left earlier at 5.15pm to attend to personal matters. He was among the first to enter the palace, arriving just past noon.

Vehicles ferrying high-ranking government officials – who were summoned by the palace to update the Malay rulers on the country’s current health, security, political and economic situation – were also seen leaving the complex earlier between 5.57pm and 5.59pm.

These figures include Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, Chief of the Armed Forces Tan Sri Affendi Buang and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohammad Zuki Ali.

The palace closed its gate at 7.07pm after all the heads of the royal households left.

Only the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V was not physically present for the special meeting today.

It is not immediately known why he was absent or if he had attended it virtually.

The Vibes understands that the conference today had, among other things, discussed whether the emergency should end as scheduled on August 1, as well as to elaborate on the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis.

The suggestion by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for a National Operations Council (Mageran) to be established was also believed to have been part of the discussion.

It is unclear whether the Agong has come to a decision after seeking the advice of the respective heads of states, but a statement is expected to be issued soon.

In a statement yesterday, the Istana Negara had said that the Agong would raise, at the Malay rulers’ meeting, the issues brought up to him by political leaders and Special Independent Emergency Committee chairman Tun Arifin Zakaria over the past week in a series of royal audiences.

Among those who were granted audiences include Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Dr Mahathir and the leaders of the other major political parties in the country.

Media personnel have been camping in front of the palace’s main gate since noon. – The Vibes, June 16, 2021