GE15: Agong now summons BN MPs over political deadlock

SHAH ALAM - The newly elected Barisan Nasional (BN) members of parliament have been summoned for an audience with the Yang diPertuan Agong at Istana Negara at 10.30AM tomorrow, in a bid to end the nation's post-election limbo and appoint the 10th Prime Minister.

In a statement issued by Royal Comptroller Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, tomorrow's meeting was called in order for the Agong to determine who, in the Dewan Rakyat, has the confidence of the majority to be appointed as PM as per Article 43(2) of the Federal Constitution.

"The Agong has already met with the leader of Pakatan Harapan (PN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), the next process is to individually meet with the 30 BN MPs at 10.30AM tomorrow at Istana Negara.

"His Royal Highness implores on and advised all Malaysians to be calm and collected until the process to form the new government and the appointment of the 10th Prime Minister are resolved," read Ahmad Fadil's statement.

The statement was issued after the Agong had a lengthy discussion with the chairmen of PH and PN; Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, respectively, which ended with a no definite decisions over the matters.

Tomorrow's meeting with BN MPs had inadvertenly put them in a kingmaker position despite the coalition's decision not to choose either sides -- having accepted their defeat at the November 19 national polls -- which they have already communicated to the Agong earlier today.

Malaysia has invariably entered a deadlock after none of the parties which stood in 15th General Election last Saturday won enough parliamentary seats to form government.

PH has won the most seats at 82, followed by PN: 73; BN: 30; Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS): 22; Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS): 7 and others: 6.

The stalemate occurred as parties needed to at least secure 112 parliamentary seats to form government as Malaysia has a total of 222 parliamentary seats.