Possibly a major announcement late today.
Some ministers have cleared their official schedules for the coming week, while others have tidied up their desks in their respective ministries in anticipation of a major Cabinet reshuffle, as rumours swirl of a political realignment which will see friends and foes forming a new ruling coalition, FMT reported.
Another source told FMT there are plans by Mahathir to seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to inform him of the new political composition in the government.
This morning, Azmin and some nine PKR leaders and MPs aligned to him met at the Petaling Jaya Sheraton hotel.
Separately, PPBM top leaders met at the party’s headquarters at Yayasan Selangor, just a few minutes away.
It is understood that the PPBM leaders, including Mahathir, would later join Azmin and others at the Sheraton for an “important announcement”.
The announcement could effectively see DAP losing its federal power, with Malay-based parties playing a dominant role under a new coalition.
Today’s development comes less than 48 hours after a midnight press conference on Friday, in which a visibly stern Mahathir declared that he was still in charge, and that PH partners had given him the trust to remain as prime minister for as long as he wanted.
Meanwhile, Azmin this afternoon chose to highlight his lunch with family members in celebration of his granddaughter’s birthday, all while speculation remains rife that his PKR faction will have a planned meeting with PPBM today.
Azmin took to social media platform Twitter with a series of public posts to share his activities.
Speculation is rife today that arrangements are being made for Dr Mahathir to meet Azmin’s faction as well as representatives from Umno and PAS, with the ultimate aim of forming a new government by this week.
Umno and PAS, who have bandied about the proposal of the Muafakat Nasional with select PH components, are also conferring this afternoon at the Putra World Trade Centre.
The ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition chief and Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Abang Openg has convened his coalition MPs at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
GPS is set to assemble at a secret hour, with party sources saying that it is an important meeting.
The Bersatu meeting began this morning at about 9am.
Leaders such as PPBM deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and Datuk Marzuki Yahya were sighted entering the premises for the meeting.
Dr Mahathir was seen leaving the meeting at the party headquarters at 2.50pm without speaking to the press.
Earlier, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu was the first to walk out followed by Dr Mahathir, Dr Maszlee Malik, Tan Sri Rais Yatim and Datuk Seri Redzuan Yusof.
Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin left the party’s headquarters 15 minutes later without speaking to the media.
Youth Chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman waved to the press before leaving in his personal car.
However, supreme council member Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen said the meeting was to discuss party matters but did not elaborate further.
Mukhriz downplayed the issues brought up in the meeting, saying they were “normal things” which were discussed.
“The normal thing (we speak of). Thank you, I have got a wedding to attend,” the Kedah mentri besar told reporters briefly.
He refused to divulge further when pressed before departing in his car.
Sources from Umno are telling reporters that their leaders are on “standby”, pending the outcome of the Bersatu meeting.
The Azmin faction met at the Sheraton Petaling Jaya at 10am. The function room where the meeting is taking place is booked till 7pm.
Among those spotted going into the hotel were Zuraida Kamaruddin, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, Baru Bian, Rashid Hasnon, Maria Chin Abdullah and Ali Biju.
Curiously, some Bersatu MPs, including Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin who was accompanied by Azmin’s political secretary Hilman Idham, and social activist Hishamuddin Rais were also spotted at the hotel.
All the parties have at some point in the last few months met with the prime minister to discuss the future of the country.
A source from PKR said that Dr Mahathir will meet the Azmin faction later today.
“Tun is said to meet with the MPs from Bersatu and 15 MPs from the Azmin faction tonight or later today.
“Some MPs from Umno are also said to be attending the meeting with the PM tonight as well,” said the source on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, another source confirmed that Dr Mahathir is seeking a meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong soon.
“We have yet to have confirmation on when the Agong will meet. Most probably tomorrow,” said the source.
The source, however, refused to divulge details of the meeting.
A source close to PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s faction said they are currently monitoring the situation.
“Of course, because there are MPs from our parties involved in the meeting. We don’t know what they are talking about in the meeting, but we are monitoring the situation at hand,” said the source.
The same source also said there will be meetings at Anwar’s Bukit Segambut residence tonight.
It should be noted, however, that Anwar’s Bukit Segambut residence has always been the venue of religious events on Sunday evenings, including prayers and sermons.
Reporters have been receiving many text messages claiming that Azmin’s faction will announce they are leaving PKR today.