Supporters sing party anthem as Bersatu leaders exit
11.40pm: About I gather 100 Bersatu supporters outside the headquarters awaiting the leaders who are having a meeting upstairs.
When Syed Saddiq exited the building, he was surrounded by his supporters who started shouting and pushing against the press in order to carve a path to Saddiq’s car for him, causing a small ruckus.
Despite attempts to question him about what transpired in the meeting, he remained tight-lipped.
The supporters burst into the party anthem shortly after he left.
They also kept chanting “Hidup Tun” (Long live Tun) throughout their wait. At one point, a few of them also half-heartedly and jokingly shouted “Hidup PD” believed to be referring to Port Dickson MP Anwar Ibrahim.
About half an hour later, Muhyiddin Yassin left the building as the supporters sang the party anthem again.
When asked by the reporters, he merely said Bersatu secretary-general Marzuki Yahya will issue a statement soon.
Umno MPs hint they might go to the palace tomorrow
11:30pm: Most BN and PAS leaders have left Riverside Cafe at PWTC.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi departed without being seen.
Umno Kuala Krau MP Ismail Said hints that there could be orders to head to Istana Negara.
“We came (tonight) to discuss.
“If we get the instructions, we will go,” he tells the media.
Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman hints the same.
“Possible,” he says briefly when asked if Umno MPs will head to the national palace tomorrow.
“Not only Umno,” he adds.
Meanwhile, MCA president Wee Ka Siong said he attended tonight’s meeting to keep abreast with political developments.
“I can only confirm I am here to observe what really happened. We don’t know. The situation is very fluid.
“If (we) go for election, we (are) prepared for that,” he says.
Bersatu rejects Dr M’s resignation as party chairperson
11.25pm: The Bersatu supreme council has rejected Mahathir’s resignation as party chairperson, according to sources.
They also resolved to fully support Mahathir as prime minister, and for MPs to voice their support when meeting the King tomorrow.
It is understood that they did not discuss Anwar.
When met after the meeting, supreme council member Rafiq Naizamohideen confirmed that Mahathir’s resignation was rejected, and that party leaders would be meeting the interim prime minister tomorrow.
“Tomorrow morning, there will be a personal meeting between the supreme council and Tun at his home… We will try to arrange it,” he says.
He says that the party wants Mahathir to lead the party and the country to greater heights.
However, he declined to say why the interim prime minister had resigned as Bersatu chairperson, saying “that is very personal, we can’t disclose it”.
Hadi: Wait and see
10:10pm: PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang is surrounded by security detail as he leaves Riverside Cafe, PWTC.
“Let us wait and see what is the next development,” Hadi says briefly when approached by the media.
PAS Youth Chief Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Aziz is also seen leaving the venue. He is similarly coy about the reason for tonight’s dinner meeting with Umno leaders.
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak is next to emerge.
He smiles when faced by a barrage of questions from the press.
“I’m not giving any statement today,” Najib says with a wide grin.
MIC deputy president M Saravanan also makes his way out of the venue.
“We leave it to the BN president (to announce).
“We are just getting ready for tomorrow,” Saravanan says when asked why he came tonight.
Azmin’s aide enters Bersatu HQ
9.40pm: Azmin Ali’s political secretary Hilman Idham was spotted entering the building.
When pressed on what he was doing at the Bersatu headquarters where Bersatu’s supreme council was having a meeting, he merely said he was there for “a meeting” (untuk mesyuarat).
Those seen entering the building so far are:
Muhyiddin Yassin, Redzuan Yusof, Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, Rina Harun, Marzuki Yahya, Maszlee Malik, Rais Yatim, Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Rafiq Naizamohideen, Mukhriz Mahathir, Hilman Idham, Mustapa Mohamed, Azizah Mohd Dun, and Shahbudin Yahaya.
BN and PAS leaders in closed-door dinner meeting
9:30pm: BN and PAS top leaders are meeting over dinner at Riverside Cafe, PWTC.
Among those from Umno spotted are party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, vice-president Ismail Sabri, former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, former minister Mahdzir Khalid, Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan are also seen.
Tajuddin declines to answer when asked if there is a meeting between the two parties tonight.
The media are not allowed inside the restaurant and the shutters have been pulled down.
Bodyguards and security personnel are seen guarding the entrance.
Maszlee Malik denies leaving Bersatu
9.10pm: Maszlee Malik has denied he is quitting Bersatu.
They questioned him as he was walking into the Bersatu headquarters for an emergency meeting about speculation that he, along with several other Bersatu leaders, would be leaving the party after Dr Mahathir Mohamad quit as chairperson.
“I am entering the Bersatu office now, why would I be quitting? When did I quit?” Maszlee said to reporters.
Party leaders plot next moves
8.30pm: A group of about 30 youths outside Bersatu’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya chant “Hidup Tun” as party leaders arrive for their supreme council meeting, in an apparent show of support to Dr Mahathir who carries the title, although he was not present at the meeting.
The group also cheer when Syed Saddiq arrives.
It is also understood that supporters of Azmin Ali are meeting at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
Agong appoints Dr M as interim PM
7pm: The King has appointed Dr Mahathir as the interim prime minister.
The Agong accepted the prime minister’s resignation but decided that he should continue to helm the nation until a new government is formed.
All 42 DAP lawmakers sign SD supporting Dr M as PM
6.55pm: All 42 DAP lawmakers have signed statutory declarations stating their support for Dr Mahathir as the prime minister.
Dr M leaves palace after 90-minute audience with King
6.18pm: Dr Mahathir leaves Istana Negara via Gate 1 after a 90-minute audience with the Agong.
Anwar leaves PKR HQ
5.30pm: Anwar leaves the party headquarters.
He tells members of the press that he is going to a Pakatan Harapan meeting, but did not disclose the venue where it will be held.
Ong Kian Ming: Azmin puts his ambition above national interests
4.50pm: DAP lawmaker Ong Kian Ming accuses Azmin Ali of putting his political ambitions above the interests of the nation.
In a tweet this afternoon, in which he tagged Azmin, Ong adds: “At the moment when we are facing serious economic challenges, his ‘move’ has put the economic stimulus package in jeopardy…”
Ong also commended those at the Finance Ministry who have been working hard to come up with an economic stimulus package for the country “while the minister of economic affairs (Azmin) is fine with working with those who robbed the country…”
He says Azmin and Muhyiddin Yassin thought that they could hasten the change in government by the show of force last night at Sheraton but didn’t think that Dr Mahathir Mohamad wouldn’t play their game by resigning.
“It is obvious why Umno wanted to be part of this coup. Many of their leaders are being charged in court. It’s a blatant attempt to save their own ‘asses’. What is sad is that Azmin and Muhyiddin both think that this is okay,” he adds.
Ambiga urges Dr M to retake leadership reins
4.45pm: Former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan appeals to Dr Mahathir to retake the leadership reins and steer Pakatan Harapan into calmer waters.
She recalls that on May 9, 2018, the people gave their mandate to Harapan headed by Mahathir to lead the nation and this mandate has not changed.
“As things stand Mahathir enjoys the confidence of the majority of the House.
“Amanah and DAP have also expressed their support for Tun (Mahathir) and I would urge Tun to retake the reins of power as entrusted by the people and steer Harapan into calmer waters.
“From the ashes may the phoenix rise and may the people see a stronger and more united Harapan to complete its mandated tasks, particularly that of reform.
“Cooler heads must prevail, and the nation and its people must come first,” she adds.
Mahathir enters Istana Negara
4.40pm: Dr Mahathir enters Istana Negara via Gate 1 to seek an audience with the Agong.
Annuar Musa: Umno, PAS will stick together
4.30pm: Umno leaders held a meeting with PAS, and the outcome was that they would stick together, according to Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa.
“God willing, whatever the outcome we do it together, upholding Muafakat Nasional and the spirit of BN,” he tweets.
Annuar says PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan was present at the meeting, while photos show Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as also being in attendance.
Mahathir heads to palace
4.25pm: Dr Mahathir leaves his residence for an audience with the Agong.
Anwar, Wan Azizah leave Istana Negara
3.15pm: Anwar Ibrahim and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail leave Istana Negara via Gate 2 without speaking to the media.
Mahathir resigns as Bersatu chairperson
3.05pm: Dr Mahathir announces that he is also quitting his position as the Bersatu chairperson.
He did not provide a reason for his resignation.
Azmin, Zuraida and others arrive at Dr M’s residence
2.44pm: Azmin and Zuraida, together with several cars belonging to deputy ministers arrive at Mahathir’s residence in Seri Kembangan.
Also in tow are Baru Bian and Kamaruddin Jaafar.
Bersatu secretary-general Marzuki Yahya arrived earlier at 2.09pm and has not yet left.
Wan Azizah enters the palace
2.40pm: The convoy ferrying Wan Azizah enters the palace.
Khalid Samad: Amanah will stand with Harapan
2.40pm: Khalid Samad says Amanah will stand firm together with Pakatan Harapan.
“We will not stand with (Umno president) Zahid (Hamidi),” he says.
Technically, the Harapan government is no more.
Azmin, Zuraida and 9 other MPs quit PKR, Harapan
2.32pm: A number of PKR MPs led by Azmin Ali and Housing and Zuraida Kamaruddin announce that they are quitting PKR and the Pakatan Harapan coalition.
In the statement posted on Azmin’s Facebook, they say they are going to form an independent bloc in Parliament.
The 11 parliamentarians quitting are Azmin, Zuraida, Saifuddin Abdullah, Baru Bian, Kamaruddin Jaffar, Mansor Othman, Rashid Hasnon, Santhara Kumar, Ali Biju, Willie Mongin and Jonathan Yasin.
Anwar enters Istana Negara
2.30pm: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim enters the Istana Negara via Gate 2.
Only his car, escorted by a traffic police officer on a motorcycle, is allowed to pass the guard post while his entourage waits outside.
Bersatu quits Harapan
2.15pm: Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin announces that his party has quit Pakatan Harapan.
He says the decision was made yesterday during a special meeting.
“All MPs from Bersatu will also leave Pakatan Harapan.
“All of them have signed a statutory declaration to continue supporting and putting their trust in Mahathir Mohamad as the prime minister,” he says.
Guan Eng: Meeting with Dr M emotional
2pm: Guan Eng describes his meeting with Dr Mahathir leaders as “emotional”.
Mahathir resigns
1.50pm: Dr Mahathir has tendered his resignation, confirms the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The PMO says the resignation letter was delivered to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at 1pm.
Syed Saddiq tells Dr M: Prioritise people, not power struggle
1.40pm: Syed Saddiq, who was present at Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya last night, appears to be against the move to form a new political coalition.
In a tweet this afternoon, the Pakatan Harapan Youth chief said he has conveyed his stand on the latest political developments to Dr Mahathir.
“The people must be prioritised, not the politics of power struggle.
“The people are in power, not si pencatur kuasa (power broker). May Allah bless our struggle,” he added.
PKR sacks Azmin, Zuraida
1.36pm: Azmin Ali and Zuraida Kamaruddin have been sacked from PKR.
Anwar: Mahathir won’t bow down to traitors
12.45pm: Anwar Ibrahim arrives at the PKR HQ with Dr Wan Azizah.
The PKR president tells the media he had just come from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s residence, where they had a “very good meeting”.
“We discussed several things and I am satisfied with his stand that we must put our principles first, and the reform agenda should be continued.
“That is what I can say for now,” says Anwar.
When asked if there would be any change of government, he says: “We should not easily bow to those who want to betray the people’s trust in the last general election.”
When pressed further if Mahathir had promised this, he said that was all he could say at this juncture.
“Enough that we say so far, it was a very good meeting.
“And I was touched by his attitude and principle about doing changes, that (he) would not bow to the groups that want to grab power without setting any reform agenda.”
Gunasekaran heads to DAP meeting straight from court
12:20pm: Seremban Jaya assemblyperson P Gunasekaran arrives at the DAP headquarters immediately after being acquitted of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-related charges.
“I am very happy, I want to (give) a thousand thanks,” he tells the media.
Meeting at PM’s residence
11.40am: Anwar Ibrahim, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Lim Guan Eng and Mohamad Sabu have arrived at Mahathir’s residence at Country Heights, Seri Kembangan.
Maria Chin: No backdoor government, won’t leave PKR
8.45am: Embattled Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah has reminded the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition that it was given a mandate by the voters and that any changes to the administration must not go against the will of people.
Maria, a former chairperson of electoral reform coalition Bersih 2.0, came under heavy fire from supporters who learnt that she was present at a meeting of PKR leaders led by the party’s deputy president Azmin Ali, who appears poised to lead a group of defectors out of the party and renege on the coalition’s promise that party president Anwar Ibrahim would be the next premier.
“I won’t leave PKR,” she was quoted as saying.