KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — Malaysia’s King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has given consent to defer the deadline for the political coalitions to keep the palace informed about their cooperation arrangements to form the next government.
According to a statement released by the Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara today (21 Nov), the deadline was deferred following a request from political parties and coalition leaders, which was received by the palace today.
The King reminded that Malaysia’s administration is still ongoing with the caretaker prime minister, in line with the principles outlined for the caretaker government.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong urges the people to pray for the process of the formation of the new government and appointment of the prime minister to go on smoothly in the interest of the country,” the statement from Malaysia Palace said.
The Malaysia palace had previously asked the political leaders to submit their preferred choice of coalition partners and prime minister by 2 pm on Monday.
PH and PN race to Putrajaya
Pakatan Harapan(PH) and Perikatan National (PN), each claimed on Sunday they had secured the support they needed to form a government after Malaysia’s hotly contested polls saw no party emerge with a clear majority of parliamentary seats.
Abang Johari Openg, chairman of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), yesterday claimed his coalitions will form the new government with Perikatan National, Barisan National and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah(GRS).
PN and PAS together gained 73 seats in GE 15, while GPS secured 22 seats, BN with 30 seats and GRS with 6 seats.
Former premier Muhyiddin Yassin – who heads the rival Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance) grouping – said he was in talks to form the next administration
However, Anwar Ibrahim’s PH coalition which won 82 seats, also claimed that his coalition had enough seats to form the country’s next government, which would allow him to become prime minister.
According to Malaysia media Malay Mail, leaders from PH and BN were seen meeting this morning at the Seri Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, as rumours said the once rivalling coalition might team up to form the new government.
