Guan Eng: I spoke about economy and Covid-19 pandemic during audience with King

PETALING JAYA: Issues concerning the economy, the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to provide financial assistance to the poor were some of the issues Lim Guan Eng raised during a hour-long audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The DAP secretary-general thanked Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for granting him an audience on Wednesday (June 9) and said that the King was very concerned about the Covid-19 crisis and the economic effects on the people.

"At the same time, we hope we can expedite the vaccination programmes and because Parliament is not in session now, there isn't a platform for the people to voice their concerns," he told reporters outside of Istana Negara's Gate 2.

Lim arrived at 1.57pm along with Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim.

Speaking more about his audience, Lim said that there was a need to provide assistance to the needy.

"There is a need for people facing hardship to be given help, including in Opposition areas. We hope the government will take heed of this because this is for the poor," he added.

Lim declined to comment if the King had asked DAP's views on the Perikatan Nasional's government performance.

"Let's leave it to the wisdom of the King," he added.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was the first to have an audience with the King on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister arrived at 7.55am for his weekly audience with the King before his scheduled Cabinet meeting.

He was followed by Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at 10.37am at Istana Negara's Gate 2.

It is understood that the King will meet the heads of major political parties over the next few days to deliberate the current political landscape amidst the Emergency that is set to end on Aug 1.

Scores of reporters have been waiting outside Istana Negara since 8am this morning after it was reported that a series of high-level meetings was taking place this week from Wednesday.