[UPDATED] AG, ministers at PM’s house hours after Umno bombshell

KUALA LUMPUR – After an hours-long meeting with Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, newly minted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was seen leaving the prime minister’s private residence at Bukit Damansara about 12.45pm today.

De facto law minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan was also seen making his way out, as well as Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun.

They did not speak to the press camping out nearby.

The Vibes’ photographer was also shooed away while performing his duty, snapping pictures of the politicians and civil servants. 

Speculation has been rife over what was discussed at Muhyiddin’s home. The deliberations would have certainly revolved around the promotions of Ismail Sabri and his Umno colleague, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, in the cabinet without the approval of their party.

Another vital matter that was likely discussed is the fate and legality of the current Perikatan Nasional (PN) government following the Umno Supreme Council’s decision to sever the party’s ties with the ruling coalition.

Earlier today, several government vehicles carrying the attorney-general and ministers were seen entering Muhyiddin’s residential premises at 9.40am today.

Heavily tinted Toyota Vellfires accompanied by outriders were seen entering the Jalan Setia Bakti 7 residence in Bukit Damansara here.

Videos of the vehicles making their way past the front gates of Muhyiddin’s home were also uploaded in Twitter posts by Malaysia Gazette.

Tiga lagi kenderaan kerajaan memasuki kawasan Perdana Menteri pada 9.53 pagi.#malaysiagazette pic.twitter.com/gqgCqJHvR6

— Malaysia Gazette (@MalaysiaGazette) July 8, 2021

Following a meeting late last night, the Umno Supreme Council and president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had announced the party’s move to terminate its alliance with PN and its support for Muhyiddin, saying there will be no compromise on the matter.

Muhyiddin is president of Bersatu and chairman of PN.

Umno also called on Muhyiddin to step down honourably and make way for a new prime minister, with the focus being on putting Malaysia back on track amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The decision came on the heels of the Prime Minister’s Office announcing just hours before the Umno meeting Ismail Sabri’s promotion from the position of senior minister (security) to deputy prime minister.

The PMO also announced Hishammuddin’s appointment as senior minister in charge of the foreign affairs portfolio. He was prior to this the foreign minister in Muhyiddin’s cabinet.

Ismail Sabri is the Umno MP for Bera while Hishammuddin is the party’s MP for Sembrong. – The Vibes, July 8, 2021