KUALA LUMPUR – Five days after the 15th general election, Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has finally received the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to be Malaysia’s 10th prime minister.
The almost week-long political impasse on who takes the top job is over. Now, Malaysians can focus on who Anwar appoints to his cabinet and for them to get on with the business of running the country.
Join us as The Vibes brings you live updates from Istana Negara, as we wait for Anwar’s swearing-in scheduled at 5pm today. – The Vibes, November 24, 2022
9.38pm – When pressed on whether those with court cases will be made cabinet members, Anwar says the matter has not been discussed, at least from the perspective of the unity government.
On the issue of deputy prime ministers, Anwar says he will have to factor in adequate representation of the parties in his unity government.
The new prime minister ends his press conference by shouting “reformasi, lawan sampai menang, kita sudah menang,” to thunderous applause from the crowd.
9.36pm – The 10th prime minister assures that he will strengthen bilateral ties with neighbouring nations, including China, which he stressed remains an important trade partner to Malaysia.
9.32pm – Anwar announces that Parliament will convene on December 19 and move for a vote of confidence.
He also says his administration will table a new or revised budget soon.
Anwar also reiterates that he will not accept any salary for his position.
9.28pm – Anwar extends his gratitude to the Malay rulers for endorsing him as prime minister.
He also thanks Amanah, DAP, and his wife, Wan Azizah, for their unwavering support.
Anwar again reiterates that his government has legitimacy and welcomes all other parties to be part of his administration, provided their values align with good governance and stand firm against corruption.
“None will be marginalised under my administration,” the new prime minister adds.
9.25pm – Anwar declares Monday a public holiday.
9.24pm – Anwar says his first commitment is to restore the economy and rally the ringgit.
9.19pm – At the start of the press conference, Anwar assures that his unity government will uphold the federal constitution and to protect the special status of the Malays, the Malay rulers, the Malay language, and Islam.
He also affirms his government’s commitment to fighting corruption and uplifting vulnerable communities.
Anwar also confirms that his government will consist of PH, BN, and GPS.
9.04pm – Anwar apologises for the delay and briefly explains that Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had also made a courtesy call to him.
9pm – Cries of “reformasi” can be heard as Anwar makes his way to the hall for his first press conference as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister.
Since 4pm, members of the media have been waiting at the Sg Long Clubhouse for the scheduled press conference.
Throughout the late afternoon and evening, nearly 1,000 people have turned up at the hall, consisting of members of the public and PH national leaders.
8.45pm – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s much awaited press conference at Sg Long Clubhouse is delayed after he received a congratulatory call from Indonesian President Joko Widodo earlier this evening.
Anwar is believed to be at his office in Bukit Gasing and will be making his way to the clubhouse soon.
6.47pm – Members of the media at the Sg Long Clubhouse are told that Anwar will hold his first press conference as prime minister here after Maghrib prayers.
6.37pm – Freshly appointed prime minister Anwar is all smiles as he emerges from the palace over an hour after he was sworn in.
Beside him in the vehicle is his wife and Bandar Tun Razak MP Wan Azizah. Both wave to media members, many of whom have been camped at the palace since early this morning.
6pm – Anwar’s supporters at the palace’s Gate 2 start heading to Sg Long, where the new prime minister’s press conference will be held.
5.30pm – Anwar is expected to hold his first press conference as prime minister in Sg Long.
5.22pm – GPS will join the unity government led by Anwar and will abide by the Agong’s decree, said Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
5.16pm – GPS chairman Abang Johari accepts DAP’s apology.
He said GPS will leave it to Anwar to appoint members of the federal cabinet.
5.10pm – Anwar is now officially Malaysia’s 10th prime minister, after taking his oath of office at the Istana Negara.
The 75-year-old PKR president, who was wearing a black baju Melayu, gold-embroidered black samping and a black songkok, was sworn in before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
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5.03pm – The Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong enter the Dewan Singgahsana Kecil (Minor Throne Hall).
4.54pm – No MPs from Gabungan Parti Sarawak or Gabungan Rakyat Sarawak are spotted during the Perikatan Nasional (PN) press conference being chaired by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
4.51pm – Muhyiddin challenges prime minister-elect Anwar to prove his legitimacy.
4.46pm – At PN’s headquarters in Publika, Muhyiddin recalls events surrounding the submission of statutory declarations to the Istana Negara on Tuesday, believes that he had secured the numbers to form the government and to be appointed as prime minister.
4.35pm – Anwar, Malaysia’s soon-to-be 10th prime minister, has arrived at the palace for his swearing-in ceremony.
4.30pm – The vehicle belonging to Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi enters the palace.
4.22pm – Inspector-general of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani arrives at the palace.
4.15pm – Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali has entered the palace.
4.09pm – Anwar and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail leave the Sg Long residence while waving to the press outside. Shouts of “reformasi” can be heard as the entourage departs.
3.55pm – A group of Anwar’s supporters is waiting at the palace’s Gate 2.
2.50pm – Former Sg Buloh MP R. Sivarasa arrives at Anwar’s residence.
Also present is Datuk Johari Abdul, who expressed his gratitude for this victory.
“Alhamdulilah, our prayers are answered by God. For the rakyat…24 years of this struggle, all of this is for the rakyat,” he said.
2.42pm – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim receives gifts from supporters, including a floral stand from one David Ramloo.
2.34pm – Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin arrives at Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s residence.
1.54pm – Several PH supporters and party members are celebrating the occasion outside Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s office in Petaling Jaya.
1.33 pm – It is official. PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is Malaysia’s 10th prime minister.
The matter was confirmed in a statement by the Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin today, following the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s meeting with the Conference of Rulers.
“His Majesty has consented to the appointment of Anwar as the 10th prime minister of Malaysia, in line with his power accorded to him under Article 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the federal constitution.”
Anwar will be sworn in at 5pm today at the Istana Negara, where he will take his oath of office and sign the instruments of appointment.
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1.22pm – A vehicle carrying Zuki leaves the palace via Gate 2.
1.19pm – Members of the press are still camped out at Anwar’s residence in Sg Long, Kajang. So far, the gates remain closed.
1.07pm – Pahang regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah leaves the palace.
1pm – Perikatan Nasional Supreme Council agrees to consider the proposed formation of a unity government. PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said it will include discussions with like-minded parties.
12.55pm – Terengganu ruler Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin has left the palace, followed by Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, Perak’s Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and Kedah’s Sultan Al Aminul Karim.
Also leaving the palace is Raja Muda Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.
12.22pm – PKR’s Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin enters Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s office in Petaling Jaya. He only says “for the people and the nation” to the media present.
12.20pm – A group aligned to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi are holding a rally at Menara Dato Onn here, calling for the end of politicking and for the party to respect the decree of the Agong for the formation of a unity government.
Leading the group, who are all dressed in white, is Datuk Ramalan Yunus, a self-styled independent political analyst and Umno member.
He said only those with vested interests within the party are still resisting the president’s attempt to fulfil the Agong’s decree.
“We ordinary members abide by the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the formation of a unity government. Our struggle remains the same, to fight for our country, race, and religion.
“Only those who have vested interests are going against the president,” he claimed in a press conference.
Similarly, Ramalan called on other BN component parties to abide by the Agong’s decree and support the effort en bloc.
He and nearly 60 Umno members have gathered at Umno headquarters in solidarity with their president.
They then shouted “Hidup presiden, hidup BN” (“Long live president, long live BN”) during the rally.
12pm – Gabungan Rakyat Sabah Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor will adhere to the Agong’s decision to have a unity government.
In a statement, the Sabah chief minister said the formation of the federal government must take place as soon as possible for the sake of the people.
11.57am – Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar leaves the palace, about an hour after the final ruler entered the compound for an audience with the Agong.
The departure of his entourage was followed by a convoy for Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Almarhum Tuanku Munawir.
The palace gates have been closed again for the time being.
11.56am – DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng apologises to the Sarawak premier and the GPS state government for remarks that might be deemed offensive.
“The future of the country is more important. Let us make a fresh start to cooperate together to preserve the diversity, inclusiveness and unity of our multi-racial and multi-cultural society as well as protect our federal constitution for the benefit of all in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak,” he said in a Facebook post.
11.24am – BN component PBRS will abide by whatever decision the coalition makes in the interest of a stable government, says PBRS deputy president Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, according to Bernama.
11.23am – BN officials confirm that the coalition’s Supreme Council will not convene this morning after it was reported that one will be held following the Umno Supreme Council meeting late last night.
11.22am – Kedah opposition leader Datuk Johari Abdul arrives at Anwar’s office in Petaling Jaya, saying that it is to discuss future action plans for the state election, which will be held next year.
When asked about BN’s support for the government, he responded with: “The message is very clear…they can work with anyone else except PN.”
However, other insiders indicate that the BN Supreme Council will not convene at least until the conclusion of the ongoing Conference of Rulers.
11.13am – Police and guards on duty at the palace main gates here stand down from their posts. It appears that Kelantan’s Sultan Muhammad V will not be attending today’s meeting.
11am – DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke apologises to the people of Sarawak and the state government for any offensive statements that his party members have issued.
Loke said in a statement that he had met with Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg at his Kuching residence this morning, accompanied by Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
“We had a friendly talk. I informed the premier that if there are any statements by any DAP leaders that have offended the government and the people of Sarawak, I – on behalf of DAP – would like to publicly apologise.”
10.50am – Sultan of Kedah Sultan Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah waves to press members waiting outside Gate 1 as he enters the palace in a silver Rolls Royce.
Following closely is Perak’s Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, and Terengganu’s Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.
10.45am – Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah arrives at the palace with his entourage.
10.31am – All is quiet at the office of PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Petaling Jaya.
10.30am – Raja Muda Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail is next to arrive at the palace.
10.21am – Several vehicles are seen entering PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s residence here. One of them belongs to Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Bernama reports.
10.20am – According to police on duty, Pahang Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s convoy enters the palace.
10.14am – A vehicle carrying Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun enters Gate 2.
10.10am – A vehicle carrying Chief Secretary Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali enters the palace via Gate 2, reports Bernama.
At 9.40am, a vehicle bearing the royal standard of the Sultan of Johor enters the compound of Istana Negara. pic.twitter.com/OnCR90WeI7
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 24, 2022
9.40am – A convoy of cars, with one bearing a standard of the Johor sultan, has entered the palace.
9am – Members of the press have been waiting at Gate 1 of the palace since the early hours today.
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