114 MPs Said To Be Backing Ismail Sabri Summoned To Istana Negara Today
24 Members of Parliament (MPs) from GPS and Bersatu will be the first batch of elected representatives to meet the Agong at 10am today, 19 August.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 19 Aug 2021, 10:36 AM
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has summoned 114 members of Parliament (MPs) who are believed to be supporting Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri to the Istana Negara today, 19 August
This comes after all elected representatives were told to name a Prime Minister candidate to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah before 4pm yesterday, 18 August.
With the 114 MPs being summoned to the palace, UMNO secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said it is apparent that Ismail will be Malaysia's ninth Prime Minister, reported Malaysiakini.
The MPs will arrive at the Istana Negara in five batches beginning 10am. Below is the breakdown of the number of MPs aligned with Perikatan Nasional (PN) who are invited to the palace:
- UMNO: 37
- Bersatu: 31
- PAS: 18
- GPS-PBB: 13
- GPS-PRS: 2
- GPS-PDP: 2
- MCA: 2
- GPS-SUPP: 1
- MIC: 1
- PBRS: 1
- PBS: 1
- STAR: 1
- Independent: 4
The news portal noted that Gua Musang MP, UMNO's Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, is not in the invited name list.
The first batch of MPs who will be meeting the Agong are all 18 MPs from GPS as well as six MPs from Bersatu
New Straits Times reported that the last batch who will arrive at the palace are all 18 PAS MPs, including its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Speaking to sources from the Opposition, Malaysiakini learnt from PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil that he has no information on the matter.
A source from DAP also echoed the same.
While Ismail seems to be likely the new premier based on the current development, GPS had yesterday declined to reveal who they are backing
Its chairperson Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said he cannot reveal the name as it was the Agong's prerogative to do so, Malay Mail quoted him as saying.
"It is just a normal request that we sent to Istana Negara," he told reporters yesterday afternoon.
"I cannot announce the name before the Agong announces the name."
Meanwhile, Pejuang chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also did not reveal who he and his party are supporting.
In an interview with Bernama, Free Malaysia Today reported that Mahathir said he would consider becoming part of the new Cabinet if invited by the BN or PN ruling coalition.
"We (Pejuang) find that both coalitions are not interesting, which is why we have distanced ourselves in the first place," he said.
"We are a 'third force' that are not tied to any side, but for now, we are not working with any."
He added he has no problem with supporting Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
