GE15: Form a government and name a PM by Nov 21 afternoon, says the King

PETALING JAYA: The King has given a deadline of 2pm on Monday (Nov 21) for coalitions and political parties to form a government and present a candidate to be the Prime Minister, says Istana Negara.

Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the the King has tasked Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun to consult the political parties and coalitions which have gained the most seats to form the next government of the day by Monday afternoon at the latest.

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"Istana Negara accepts the official results of the 15th general election (GE15) which was held on Nov 19, received from the Election Commission as of 1.15pm on Sunday (Nov 20)," said Ahmad Fadil in a statement issued on Sunday.

"The document submitted by the EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh clearly stated that no political party had managed to gain the simple majority to form a new government," he added.

He said that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has requested Azhar to speak to the heads of political parties and heads of political coalitions which have the most seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

Azhar is to speak to these heads and inform Istana Negara on the coalition of political parties and political coalitions to form a government post-GE15.

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"The coalition will be asked to give a name of one MP who has the confidence of the majority of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat to be the Prime Minister by 2pm on Monday Nov 21," said Ahmad Fadil.

He added that the King's wishes are in line with Article 40 (2) (a) and 43(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution.

"The King advises the people and the chiefs of political parties to accept and respect the democratic process and accept the results of GE15 calmly and be open minded for the sake of the stability of the country where the leaders are trust holders.

"The King reminded us that the country needs a stable, fully authorised government with integrity for the interests and the peace of the country," said Ahmad Fadil.