KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 — Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun was the first to arrive at Istana Negara at 9.24am ahead of federal lawmakers expected to reconfirm their support for Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakub.

Later at 9.36am, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali arrived in a black Vellfire.

A total of 114 MPs from PAS, Umno, MIC, MCA, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) were summoned to meet with the King today.

Both top-ranking government officials left the compound without speaking with the media at around 3.50 pm, after three groups of federal lawmakers that were granted audiences with the Agong.

A total of 114 MPs from Umno, Bersatu, PAS, MIC, MCA, as well as those who are independent have been summoned for an audience so the Agong could personally verify the support for Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, one of the two main contenders for the prime minister’s post.

The other candidate is Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The MPs had been instructed to submit their personal choices for prime minister and submit them to the palace before 4pm yesterday.