Agong Expected To Announce The 9th PM After His Meeting With Malay Rulers Today
It is widely believed that Ismail Sabri is poised to be the new Prime Minister, replacing Muhyiddin Yassin following his resignation.
By Sadho Ram — 20 Aug 2021, 01:05 PM — Updated over 3 years ago
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is scheduled to meet the Malay Rulers at Istana Negara at 2.30pm today, 20 August.
Following the Conference of Rulers, the Agong is expected to announce the appointment of the 9th Prime Minister (PM) of Malaysia.
Today's special meeting comes after 220 members of Parliament (MPs) submitted the statutory declarations (SDs) in support of two MPs — namely Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from Pakatan Harapan (PH) — on Wednesday, 18 August.
A total of 114 MPs from UMNO, Bersatu, and PAS, among others, in the previous Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition were called to the palace yesterday, 19 August, where they voiced their support for Ismail Sabri.
Anwar, on the other hand, is said to have the support of 105 MPs.
UMNO's Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is reportedly not supporting anyone.
It is widely believed that Ismail Sabri is poised to be the new Prime Minister, replacing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin following his resignation.
Muhyiddin, currently named caretaker PM, stepped down on Monday, 16 August, conceding that he lost the majority support in Parliament.
The Agong appoints as PM the MP he thinks is able to command a simple majority.
New Straits Times reported that the Agong is of the view that a suitable person must be appointed not merely due to their majority backing, but also considering the pandemic and economic situation.
Ismail Sabri, who was Muhyiddin's deputy, has emerged as the top candidate.
If he is confirmed, it would mark the return of UMNO to the premiership three years after the party lost the 14th General Election (GE14) amidst corruption allegations linked to 1MDB.
Still, the Agong has also decreed the next PM must test his majority in Parliament to ensure stability and cooperation among parties
In a statement posted on the official Istana Negara Facebook page on Wednesday, the Agong decreed that the next PM must move a motion of confidence in his leadership in the Dewan Rakyat.
"His Majesty also decreed that the prime minister who has been chosen by him under Article 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution has to immediately submit a motion of confidence in the Dewan Rakyat to validate that the person has the confidence of the majority of the Dewan Rakyat. His Majesty also decreed that as the Chief of the country, His Majesty will do his best to perfect his responsibilities as a constitutional monarch grounded on the Constitution and the rule of law," said the statement.
