GE15: Malay Rulers leave Istana Negara after special meeting with the King

The Sultan of Johor leaving Istana Negara.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malay Rulers have left Istana Negara, where a special meeting was held to discuss the formation of the new government.

Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar who was the first to arrive at the Istana Negara left at about 11.58am.

This was followed by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, who left about a minute later.

The Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatudin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah, Sultan of Kedah Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin also followed suit.

The Palace in a statement on Wednesday (Nov 23) said a special meeting would be held among the Rulers to seek their opinions on the impasse in the formation of a federal government.

The special meeting was held after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah granted audiences to Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leaders on Wednesday (Nov 23).

Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said that Al-Sultan Abdullah had advised Barisan MPs to be part of a unity government.

Al-Sultan Abdullah earlier on Tuesday (Nov 22) also granted audiences to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who are the prime minister candidates for Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.

Anwar had said the King expressed a similar sentiment, adding that His Majesty hoped the new government would be inclusive of all races and religions.

Various meetings were organised in the past few days to discuss on the prime minister candidate and the formation of a new government, given that no coalition had the majority following last Saturday’s (Nov 19) general election.

Pakatan won 82 seats while Perikatan won 73 seats in GE15.