Anwar, Azizah to meet Malaysia king as talk over new ruling coalition intensifies
24 February, 2020
The flurry of activities over a possible realignment of Malaysia's political landscape looks set to keep with several events scheduled to take place on Monday (Feb 24).
Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her husband, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, are scheduled with an audience with Malaysia's king Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at 2pm at Istana Negara.
Another is an emergency meeting by the Democratic Action Party (DAP) - an element party in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition - which is set to occur at the party's headquarters.
On Monday morning, Anwar and Wan Azizah reportedly sought a gathering with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya.
According to a written report by the Star, Mahathir didn't arrive for the meeting and Anwar was kept looking forward to about an hour before leaving the building.
The New Straits Times later reported that Anwar and Wan Azizah were meeting Mahathir at the latter's residence, together with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu.
A day earlier, several key leaders of the ruling government parties and from the opposition attended a particular meeting at a hotel in Petaling Jaya.
The closed-door meeting, and others before involving several political parties, raised questions over the purpose of the gatherings.
Party leaders were tight-lipped in regards to what was discussed at the meetings, in the federal capital and Petaling Jaya, which drew strong media attention.
Previously Sunday, UMNO held a special supreme council meeting for approximately two hours from 4pm at the Putra World Trade Centre.
Bersatu also held a special meeting at the party headquarters at Menara Yayasan Selangor in Petaling Jaya, chaired by party chairman Mahathir, who declined to comment when reporters swarmed around him as he left the premises.
Several MPs from political parties in Sabah and Sarawak also held meetings in the federal capital.
Istana Negara was also a hive of activity as much vehicles were seen entering the palace grounds from about 5.30 pm on Sunday, some with police escort. These vehicles were seen leaving about two hours later.
During a meeting at his Bukit Segambut home on Sunday night, Mr Anwar said he's awaiting information on what he referred to as an attempt to set up a new government.
Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu said on Sunday that the PH government will continue steadily to function as usual.
“Anyone can make a variety of speculations. Dr Mahathir meeting with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is nothing unusual … You don't have to panic. PH will continue steadily to function,” he was quoted as saying by the Malaysian
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