King wants political leaders to unite and face the pandemic together

KUALA LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong wants politicians to unite and deal with the Covid-19 pandemic together, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The PKR president said this was conveyed by Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah during the audience with political party heads that began at 2pm on Tuesday (Aug 17) and lasted for more than two hours.

Anwar also revealed that all party heads present arrived at a consensus to cooperate and address the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic fallout.

Anwar also said the King specifically said there should not be any "sore losers" when a new prime minister is appointed to replace Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"Everyone gave their views and it appeared that there was a consensus to put a stop to the old, boring ways of politics. The new political landscape must focus on development.

"The issue here is not the appointment of a new prime minister, but the King and the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong want to form a new political landscape that is more peaceful and refreshing for Malaysians," he told reporters when met outside Istana Negara's Gate 2 on Tuesday afternoon.

Among the party leaders who attended the two-hour audience with the King were DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Parti Pejuang Tanah Air president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

On Monday (Aug 16), Muhyiddin announced his decision to resign as prime minister, saying it was in accordance with the Federal Constitution as he no longer commanded majority support of the Dewan Rakyat.

The Perikatan government was led by Muhyiddin since March last year.