Dr Mahathir leaves Istana Negara after meeting Agong

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 27 Feb 2020 11:20AM · 6 Comments

Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrives at the Istana Negara for his appointment with the Agong today. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, February 27, 2020.

DR Mahathir Mohamad has left Istana Negara after an hour-long audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The interim prime minister departed at noon, waving and smiling to the press from inside his official vehicle.

RTM reported that Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, too, was summoned to meet the king.

While the agenda of the meeting is uncertain, the speculation is that Dr Mahathir has sufficient numbers to show the king to be reappointed prime minister.

The 94-year-old Langkawi MP resigned from the post on Monday, leaving a power vacuum in the country, with his former allies in Pakatan Harapan now backing PKR president Anwar Ibrahim to head a new minority government.

Although Umno and PAS said they would prefer snap elections to overcome the political imbroglio, it is also learnt that individual MPs from these parties may back Dr Mahathir to continue as PM.

As it stands, Dr Mahathir has the support of Bersatu, Azmin Ali’s faction, Sarawak’s GPS and Warisan from Sabah.

In a televised message yesterday, Dr Mahathir urged Malaysians to give him a chance to form a non-partisan national administration.

“If allowed, I will try and form a government that does not side with any party. Only the country’s interest will be given priority,” he said.

Politicians and political parties are putting too much emphasis on politics, to the detriment of economic and health issues facing the country, he said.

Dr Mahathir is also set to announce the financial package to counter the Covid-19 outbreak later today. – February 27, 2020.

Interim prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad might have sufficient numbers to be reappointed to the post. – AFP pic, February 27, 2020.

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Comments

  • As in fighting bushfires, where you have to create fires to control the raging fires, this technique of statecraft by Tun M probably helps to regain command and control at the helm.

    Posted 4 years ago by Eugene Anthony · Reply

  • Hogwash. He had all the necessary multiracial support from the PH, which he chosed to divide through his various nefarious actions in order to achieve his hidden agenda instead of rebuilding new Malaysia.

    Posted 4 years ago by Baharom Alam Shah · Reply

  • https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2020/02/27/mahathir-a-crisis-of-his-own-making/

    Posted 4 years ago by Baharom Alam Shah · Reply

  • I hope our king make a wise choice, listen carefully and pay attention to every details of Tun's proposal of a unity government. This new government does not have the true mandate of the people, and cannot be considered democratic.

    Posted 4 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • An authoritarian govt.? OMG.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • Malaysia must move on and rid itself of this self serving authoritarian masquerading as the only person who can save the country. He has screwed everyone more than once and is shameless. He is the anchor who sunk the government. Move on Malaysia and find a young person who actually cares about doing the right thing. If that person happens to be a Chinese or Indian so be it. Racial politics has destroyed Malaysia. This may be the last best chance to save the country.

    Posted 4 years ago by Richard FitzGibbon · Reply