KUALA LUMPUR – In less than two months before the emergency expires, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has granted an audience to political party leaders.
All eyes are on the Istana Negara as a series of high-level meetings is lined up for this week today onwards.
Speculations have arisen that the separate meetings with top party leaders from both sides of the divide are held to allow His Majesty to listen to their views and discuss national issues.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Bersatu president, was the first to have an audience with the king.
After an hour-long meeting, the prime minister left the palace grounds at 8.55am.
However, he and his party have kept mum on the outcome of the meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
At 10.37am, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived at Gate 2 in a heavily tinted black Jaguar.
When met by waiting press, Anwar said he pleaded for His Majesty to not extend the state of emergency beyond August 1.
Other top leaders from Pakatan Harapan (PH) were also called separately for an audience with the king today.
Speaking to media personnel, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu echoed Anwar’s sentiments by saying they have also raised several issues about Malaysia’s current situation during their meetings with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
They include worsening Covid-19 pandemic in the country, economy and the matter of Parliament reconvening.
His Majesty will also be meeting with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, PBS president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili, and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Meanwhile, four leaders from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) have been granted a virtual audience with the Agong on June 14.
In related news, the Conference of Rulers will hold an emergency meeting at Istana Negara next Wednesday to discuss the Covid-19 situation and the state of emergency in this country. – The Vibes, June 9, 2021
