[UPDATED] Accept and respect GE15 result: Agong

KUALA LUMPUR – The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has decreed for all quarters to respect the results of the 15th general election (GE15), which saw the formation of a government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah also expressed his appreciation to party leaders who heeded his advice to form a unity government for the sake of the rakyat.

“I am thankful that GE15 was conducted in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. As such, I would like to record my gratitude and thanks to the Election Commission, security personnel, government agencies and the rakyat for carrying out their responsibilities.

“Let us all have an open mind and open heart to accept and respect the election results,” he said in his royal address at the opening of the second session of the 15th Parliament here, today.

“I welcome the consensus achieved by the leaders of the parties in the unity government, which is in line with my desire to form a government that is stable and strong.”

The king said this would allow the government to focus all its effort to ensure political stability and economic growth.

Previously, several opposition leaders had questioned Anwar’s legitimacy as prime minister.

In particular, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had consistently maintained that he had the majority support of MPs to form the government following the conclusion of the general election on November 19.

He claimed to possess 115 statutory declarations that would have accorded him the right to form the government and had challenged Anwar to prove his support.

Anwar later on December 19 tested his legitimacy in the Dewan Rakyat, which was passed through a simple voice vote, effectively securing his mandate as the head of the administration.

Muhyiddin, who is Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, had also objected to the Agong's proposal for the formation of a unity government consisting both the coalition and the Anwar-led Pakatan Harapan.

In his address today, the Agong congratulated Anwar over his appointment as the country’s 10th prime minister and for successfully proving his majority in the lower house.

Similarly, he congratulated the cabinet members over their appointments, as well as all 222 MPs for their victories in the recent federal polls.

His Majesty also took the opportunity to thank Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for his contributions to the country as the ninth prime minister. – The Vibes, February 13, 2023