KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 — The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has called for a meeting with the Conference of Rulers at Istana Negara here tomorrow.
Royal Comptroller of Istana Negara Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the King is seeking the views of his fellow Malay Rulers in reaching a decision on the current political deadlock.
Malaysia has yet to form a federal government or have a new prime minister after its 15th general election last Saturday.
Ahmad Fadil said the royal meeting is in line with Article 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution, adding that it is to enable the Agong to decide which member of the Dewan Rakyat holds the majority’s confidence and make an appointment of the next prime minister.
“The rakyat have already made their decision in choosing their representative. Therefore, it is up to the MPs to find a solution to end the impasse that has shrouded the people,” he said in a statement this afternoon, conveying the message from the King.
Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah gave audiences to Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.
This morning, the Agong held another audience with Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sarawak coalition representatives.
Both Muhyiddin and BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi later told reporters that the King proposed a unity federal government.
Muhyiddin said he rejected the proposal as he had the signed support of 115 MPs in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat, which is more then the simple majority needed to form government.
Ahmad Zahid did not indicate how the BN, which only won 30 seats in the lower House of Representatives, will choose.
Several BN leaders had previously said they would rather be in the Opposition.
When asked if BN intended to walk back on its Oppositon plan, Ahmad Zahid told news portal Malaysiakini this afternoon: “That is not Tuanku’s order”.
PH won the largest number of seats in the Dewan Rakyat with 82 while PN scored 73.
