KUALA LUMPUR – MPs deemed to have supported Umno’s Bera MP Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for the post of prime minister have been granted an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at various times tomorrow.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who confirmed the matter, said MPs from Umno, Barisan Nasional, Bersatu, GPS and PAS have been summoned to Istana Negara between 10am to 4pm tomorrow.
The Pontian MP also confirmed the veracity of a message making the rounds on WhatsApp, indicating that the coalition will head to the palace by bus beginning 10am.
“Only the team that has won has been invited to confirm its support again at Istana Negara,” the message read.
“This means that DS (Datuk Seri) Ismail Sabri (Yaakob), with the grace of Allah, is the PM candidate who has won.”
Ahmad told the Vibes that MPs from GPS would head to the palace at 10am, followed by Bersatu parliamentarians at 11am.
He said Umno MPs would meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at 2pm followed by BN representatives at 3pm.
Finally, PAS parliamentarians will be the last group to enter the palace at 4pm.
The message indicated that Umno and BN MPs would head to the palace from Umno’s headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre by bus.
“This is also a blessing of unity, led by the Umno president, and DS (Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak), Supreme Council members & all our MPs,” the message read.
“May Allah bless our struggle for the people.”
Meanwhile, it is understood that the king may want to meet them individually to ascertain their support for the former deputy prime minister.
Palace sources have further revealed that the king wants a candidate who is best able to manage the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking to The Vibes, a source said if the king prefers a different candidate following the session, MPs will be asked to pull their support from Ismail Sabri to another candidate instead.
The source added that MPs will abide by His Majesty’s wisdom on the suitability of the candidate.
“As far as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is concerned, it has to be a candidate that can unify the different political factions and can best manage the (nation’s) economic recovery and the pandemic,” the source added. – The Vibes, August 18, 2021
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