KUALA LUMPUR – Istana Negara is once again the attention of local and international press, who arrived as early as 9am, as Malaysians wait to see which coalitions will form the new government after the 15th general election (GE15).
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun is expected to meet the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah by 2pm today to hand over the details of political allies who have garnered the necessary support to form the new government.
The political coalitions are also to submit the name of their prime minister candidate.
The 2pm deadline today is an extension from yesterday, after Barisan Nasional (BN) failed to achieve consensus on whether to form the new government with Pakatan Harapan (PH).
The results of GE15 showed that no single coalition garnered the majority of seats to establish the government.
PH secured 82 parliamentary seats – making it the biggest single bloc – while Perikatan Nasional (PN) won a shocking 73 federal seats and BN, once the nation’s ruling political power for six decades, managed to get only 30 seats.
The Vibes brings you live updates from Istana Negara, where – hopefully – a new government and prime minister will be sworn in soon. – The Vibes, November 22, 2022
6.17pm – Anwar has just arrived back at his office in Petaling Jaya following his audience with the Agong. He did not stop to give his comments to the media.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke was also seen arriving. It is learnt that PH leaders will be having a meeting.
5.56pm – Anwar says the king desires a strong government that is inclusive in terms of race, religion, and region to focusing on resolving the people's problems and to resuscitate the economy.
"I expressed my profound gratitude to His Majesty and I said we'll do our best."
Anwar also said that there is no decision on a new prime minister as yet.
5.46pm - Anwar has emerged from the palace and is giving a press conference.
5.15pm – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin returns to his residence with his entourage. He only waved to the media from his car window.
5.10pm – Muhyiddin has left Istana Negara through Gate 2 without speaking to the press.
4.51pm – As Anwar and Muhyiddin have their audience with the Agong, the crowd and FRU police officers outside Istana Negara have doubled in size.
4.11pm – PH chairman Anwar has entered Istana Negara. His arrival was greeted by loud hails of “Reformasi” from his supporters camped outside here.
4.08pm – Federal Reserve Unit police personnel arrive at Istana Negara.
4.06pm – PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin arrives at Istana Negara through Gate 2 for an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
More PKR MPs have been streaming into Anwar’s office, despite the party president having left for Istana Negara. Among them are vice-presidents Chang Lih Kang and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
4.03pm – An entourage has left Muhyiddin’s residence in KL to head to Istana Negara.
4.00pm – Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun has arrived at Istana Negara.
3.55pm – No MP has obtained a simple majority support to be appointed 10th PM, says Istana Negara.
3.35pm – Members of the public are starting to camp out at Istana Negara’s Gate 2. Some 30 individuals are standing near the police barricade at the entrance here.
Some are wearing T-shirts declaring themselves supporters of PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim while others are in full Malay traditional attire.
2.50pm – Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah is seen entering Istana Negara through Gate 2.
2.20pm – The king exits his car at Gate 2 to address the press.
“I can’t reveal anything because I have not seen anything. Be patient. Accept the people’s decision, the MPs’ decision, and the Agong’s decision. Let me make a decision as soon as possible,” said the king.
The ruler added that he has yet to see any of the official documents from Azhar, who was tasked with arranging statutory declarations from political coalitions and MPs.
Responding to questions on the deadline possibly being extended again, the ruler asked the assembled press: “Will you all be watching the World Cup match tonight?”
2:20pm
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 22, 2022
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has exited his car at Gate 2 at Istana Negara.
"I can't reveal anything because I have not seen anything. Be patient. Accept the people's decision, the MPs' decision, and the Agong's decision. Let me make decision as soon as possible." pic.twitter.com/cnzxOxh7cu
1.29pm – Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun is spotted entering Istana Negara at 1.25pm.
1:20pm
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 22, 2022
Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun has arrived at Istana Negara in a car bearing the emblem of Dewan Rakyat speaker. pic.twitter.com/rLK2yMVLvt
12.24pm – Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah is seen driving out of Istana Negara Gate 1 at around noon.
