The day’s flurry of meetings and frenzy of activities.
Annuar Musa: New coalition very likely
10.15pm: Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa believes Pakatan Harapan is doomed and a new coalition will take its place.
Although no announcement is made with regard to a new government tonight, the Ketereh MP, when asked if Harapan is finished, replies: “I think so.”
On whether there will be a new coalition, he replies: “Very likely.”
He also denies that Umno will merge with Bersatu.
“No (merger), it is a coalition,” he says.
Asked if the new coalition has the support of 130 MPs, Annuar declines to provide a specific figure but claims that they have “more than half, reaching towards two-thirds.”
The Umno leader also reveals that Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal met with Mahathir earlier.
According to Annuar, all in Umno are “happy” with the latest developments and have no qualms working with PAS.
“Why not? We have been working with PAS for five decades,” he adds.
Anwar: It’s a betrayal
10pm: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim describes the political manoeuvrings today involving his deputy Azmin Ali, Bersatu, Umno, PAS, GPS and Warisan a betrayal.
He concedes that there are efforts to form a new government and believes it will materialise as soon as tomorrow.
“We are shocked today by the developments – it is a betrayal as there was a promise (to hand over power to him).
“As there are changes, I expect it will happen soon, perhaps tomorrow.
“Even though there is no announcement tonight but from my information, the effort is ongoing,” he tells supporters visiting his home for weekly prayers tonight.
Ramasamy: Magnanimous Anwar backstabbed
9.50pm: After attending the DAP emergency meeting in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow afternoon, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy says he will visit PKR president Anwar Ibrahim at his residence.
“I will visit Anwar to express my solidarity with his leadership of Pakatan Harapan.
“Even though he was magnanimous in agreeing to Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s request to retire after the Apec summit in November this year, the flurry of events today in trying to form a new backdoor coalition is the greatest betrayal and hardest stab in the back.
“If this happens, then it is a complete betrayal of the mandate given by the rakyat in the last election.
“From today onwards, politics in this country would not be the same. The transition agreement has no substance,” he says.
MIC chief: I don’t know about new government, but Azmin is out of PKR
9.40pm: MIC president SA Vigneswaran downplays the gathering of MPs from both sides of the political divide.
The Dewan Negara president tells reporters that he doesn’t know anything about forming a new government tonight.
However, he says Azmin is quitting the party whereas Bersatu may also leave Harapan.
“As far as I know today, Azmin has come out from PKR and also the possibility of Bersatu coming out of Harapan.
“That’s all. Forming the government – I don’t know yet. That one you must ask Tun (Dr Mahathir),” he adds.
As for MIC, Vigneswaran says it will follow the position of BN.
Nga: Backdoor government illegitimate, betrayal of people’s mandate
9.35pm: A government formed through the backdoor is nothing short of a betrayal of the people’s mandate, says Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming.
“The only legitimate government is the government from the people, by the people and for the people,” he tweets.
“Any ‘backdoor government’ without a mandate from the people is a betrayal to the country and the people. It is illegitimate, will not last long and will be punished by the people,” adds Nga, who is also the Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker.
Anwar to have an audience with Agong tomorrow
9.25pm: Anwar will have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow at 2pm.
Maria Chin to critics: You are no better than Umno
9.15pm: Former Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah lashes out at those criticising her presence at Sheraton PJ this morning.
“There’s a lot of off-track remarks, vicious disinformation, speculation and abusive languages used against me.
“To them, you are no better than Umno as you failed to even want to find out the truth,” she posts on Facebook.
DAP to hold emergency meeting tomorrow
8.50pm: DAP will hold an emergency meeting on the latest political developments at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.
The meeting is scheduled to start at noon.
After PKR, DAP has the highest number of seats in Parliament.
Muhyiddin arrives
8.35pm: Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin arrives.
As he makes his way from the elevator, he is greeted with applause.
Khairy arrives
8.30pm: Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin arrives at the Sheraton PJ to join a growing group of politicians from both sides of the aisle.
The Rembau MP declined to comment when asked about the intense speculation.
Kepala Batas MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican was also seen arriving.
Others seen at the hotel are PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Bersatu supreme council member Redzuan Mohd Yusof, PKR’s Zuraida Kamaruddin, MIC president SA Vigneswaran, MIC deputy president M Saravanan, PAS Pasir Puteh MP Nik Mohamad Nawawi and MCA Youth chief Nicole Wong.
Zahid, Azmin arrive
8.10pm: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi arrives at Level 3D of Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya, where a dinner called “Majlis Makan Malam Muafakat Ahli Parlimen” is being hosted inside one of the halls.
Only MPs are allowed inside the hall, which is heavily guarded by police.
Zahid, however, goes into a smaller hall where PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who arrived about 10 minutes ago, had gone in.
Moments later, Azmin arrives at the venue.
He is accompanied by Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard.
Azmin is greeted with chants of “Hidup Azmin” by his supporters.
Hadi, MPs from various parties arrive at Sheraton
8pm: MPs from GPS, PAS and BN are spotted streaming into a hall at the Sheraton PJ. Among them is PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.
Ushers at the venue announce that only MPs are allowed in and urge the crowd to make way.
Whenever an MP arrives, he or she is ushered into the hall behind closed doors. Police personnel are also guarding the floor.
Zaid says seek fresh mandate from people
7.55pm: Kelantan DAP chairperson Zaid Ibrahim is urging for a fresh mandate from the people.
“I can’t believe this farce has reached the level of the Istana. You don’t add the numbers in Parliament to form the government.
“Harapan collapsed, so go for dissolution. A fresh mandate from the people. Mandate does not come from the opposition and MPs with problems,” he tweets.
Annuar Musa and Takiyuddin Hassan arrive at Sheraton PJ
7.25pm: The secretaries-general for both Umno and PAS have just arrived at the Sheraton PJ hotel.
Annuar Musa and Takiyuddin Hassan are seen entering the holding room for all the VIPs, accompanied by Bersatu’s Malacca exco Rafiq Naizamohideen.
Convoy of vehicles leaves palace
7:25pm: An entourage of 13 vehicles escorted by the police were seen leaving Istana Negara.
Another 10 vehicles, this time around without any police escort, were also seen leaving the palace.
Bersatu, Umno, Azmin’s PKR, GPS, Warisan and PAS at palace
7.11pm: The six parties at the palace comprise Bersatu, Umno, PKR (Azmin’s faction), GPS, Warisan and PAS.
The leaders present are:
- Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Bersatu chairperson)
- Muhyiddin Yassin (Bersatu president)
- Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Umno president)
- Azmin Ali (PKR deputy president)
- Abang Johari Openg (GPS president)
- Shafie Apdal (Warisan president)
- Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS president)
Ku Nan arrives at Sheraton PJ
7:00pm: Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor arrived at the hotel where Azmin’s supporters have gathered.
He, however, declined to answer any questions posed by reporters on his presence at the hotel.
Also present were opposition leader Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob; Paya Besar Member of Parliament Mohd Shahar Abdullah; Arau Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and Pengerang Member of Parliament Azalina Osman.
Others were Kuala Kangsar Member of Parliament, Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid; Kuala Krau Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said and Jeli Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
In addition, assistant to Umno President Datuk Fadzlette Othman Merican Idris Merican was also present.
No press conference by PM
7pm: A Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson says that there will be no press conference by Dr Mahathir tonight.
This comes in a PMO media Whatsapp group, in response to reporters’ request for confirmation if there will be a media conference or major announcement by the prime minister later today.
The spokesperson also says that Mahathir would not be at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya, where he was speculated to hold a press conference purportedly on a major political development.
Reps from six parties at palace
7pm: Leaders from six parties have arrived.
Azmin supporters gather at Sheraton PJ
6.35pm: Supporters have converged at Sheraton PJ on the floor where PKR supporters aligned to Azmin Ali have gathered.
Zahid heading to palace
6.30pm: A senior Umno leader confirmed that Zahid is heading to Istana Negara.
PKR MPs leave Anwar’s house
6.15pm: A number of PKR MPs who are aligned to Anwar have left his house.
Among of them are Nik Nazmi (Setiawangsa), Johari Abdul (Sungai Petani), Saifuddin Nasution (Bandar Bahru Kulim), Wong Chen (Subang), Chang Lih Kang (Tanjung Malim), Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng), William Leong (Selayang), Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai), Xavier Jayakumar (Kuala Langat).
Sarawak Chief Minister at Istana
Abang Johari Openg’s vehicle is spotted within the palace grounds.
Activities at Anwar’s residence
5.50pm: PKR MPs aligned to Anwar are making their way to Anwar’s residence in Segambut. Among them are Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Subang MP Wong Chen. Anwar’s supporters have called for a gathering amid the political movements.
Warisan enters the picture
5.38pm: Warisan now appears to also be in the picture as its president Shafie Apdal makes an appearance at Ritz Carlton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, where GPS leaders are also gathered. Shafie did not speak to the media and proceeded into the hotel.
Flurry of meetings
This morning, PKR MPs aligned to Azmin’s faction began gathering at Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya.
The venue is only one kilometre away from the Bersatu headquarters in Petaling Jaya, where Bersatu leaders were also meeting.
This had sparked speculation that Azmin’s faction may be joining forces with Bersatu, but the political intrigue was further fuelled as it became apparent that opposition parties were also involved.
At Ritz Carlton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, GPS leaders led by its chief Abang Johari Openg had started gathering since afternoon. It was unclear when they flew in from Sarawak.
Then, Umno leaders, who were having a retreat with PAS in Janda Baik, Pahang this morning began rushing back to the Umno headquarters at Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur this evening.
DAP, Amanah and PKR leaders aligned to party president Anwar Ibrahim appear to be out of the loop as they seemed unaware of the ongoing developments.