Rulers arrive at Istana Negara, Malay NGOs say no to snap polls
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malay Rulers across Malaysia have started arriving at Istana Negara this morning to attend a special meeting.
The meeting would be discussing the current political impasse plaguing the nation and seek a solution.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had finished interviewing all 222 MPs, in a two-day marathon session, to determine who commands the majority support in Dewan Rakyat.
While the Council of Rulers have yet to make a decision on the matter, Interim Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that he would call for a special Dewan Rakyat sitting on Monday, claiming Sultan Abdullah has left the matter to the Parliament.
However, his move received brickbats from both Pakatan Harapan and Muafakat Nasional, who called upon the nonagenarian not to pre-empt the Rulers.
The Johor Ruler was seen entering Istana Negara at 9.30am. Other Rulers are expected to arrive shortly for the meeting which was scheduled to take place before Friday prayers.
On related matter, a coalition of 10 Malay-NGOs, Majlis Perundingan Melayu (MPM) sent a memorandum to Sultan Abdullah, urging the latter to protect the sanctity of the Federal Constitution.
Its chairman, Tun Haniff Omar said that dissolving the Dewan Rakyat and calling for snap polls may not be the best solution to current political imbroglio.
“We feel a fresh general election now may not be the best solution. We are a democracy. The political parties involved should come together and resolve this.
“However, we will leave it to the wisdom of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to decide on it,” he said.
Haniff, a former police chief, also lauded Malaysians for their maturity in the handling the political instability and urged everyone to keep calm.
“We don’t have a serious conflict that warrants an Emergency or street demonstrations. People are still living peacefully,” he said.
His memorandum was received by a representative to Sultan Abdullah’s principal private secretary, Col. Datuk Nazim Mohd Alim.
By Irman Hashim and G Vinod
