[UPDATED] PM meeting with Agong is fake news: Istana Negara

KUALA LUMPUR – It is fake news – that is what Istana Negara has to say about a Facebook posting alleging that the prime minister will be seeking an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to get consent to dissolve Parliament.

The Istana Negara was quoted as saying that the Agong is in Singapore.

“(It’s) fake news. Tuanku is still in Singapore,” Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin was reported as saying by Free Malaysia Today.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, meanwhile, responded by saying that Zaharin had been fired from the party.

This comes after newly-sacked Umno member Zaharin Mohd Yasin claimed in a Facebook post that Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, and Ahmad, representing party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will seek a royal audience today.

Last Friday, Ahmad read out an Umno Supreme Council’s statement at party headquarters here that mentioned Zaharin’s sacking, among others.

While no specifics were shared, he said Zaharin was sacked according to Clauses 5.9, 10.6 and 20.9 in the party’s constitution.

Zaharin, the next day, issued a snide Facebook post, describing the decision as “instant noodles” even though he would not appeal against it.

Known as a political observer with the pen name Sang Kelembai, he said “his friends in PKR will suggest to party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim his candidacy for the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat”.

“I’m not interested but if the opposition leaders are keen, I’ll consider it. If I run on the PH (Pakatan Harapan) ticket with PKR, I can win the seat as I  have many supporters there.”

Meanwhile, Zaharin said he did not receive a show-cause notice nor was he summoned by the party’s disciplinary board.

He added that his division – Bandar Tun Razak Umno – did not submit official complaints to the party’s secretary-general’s office for disciplinary action.

“The decision (to sack) is seen as a private move by the party president (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) and the ‘court cluster’. And is seen as an ‘instant noodles’ decision.” – The Vibes, October 3, 2022