COVID-19 main agenda in political leaders' session with King

KUALA LUMPUR: Ongoing developments in the country, in particular the COVID-19 pandemic, were the main agendas discussed when political party leaders were granted an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara here today.

This ended the speculation raised by certain quarters that the meetings had to do with the current political landscape.

Political leaders, including those from the Opposition, took turns to have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong beginning today, while leaders from Sarawak political parties will be granted a virtual audience on June 14.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was the first to be granted an audience at 8 am for the pre-Cabinet meeting, which usually takes place every Wednesday, to provide updates on the development of the country's administration. The meeting lasted an hour.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was also granted an audience, was spotted entering the main gate of the palace at 10.40 am and left an hour later.

Speaking to awaiting reporters at the gate, the PKR president said the meeting revolved around discussions on COVID-19, Parliament sitting and the country's economic situation.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng was the second Opposition leader to arrive at Istana Negara at about 2 pm, followed by Amanah president Mohamad Sabu an hour later.

Al-Sultan Abdullah is scheduled to meet with other political party leaders tomorrow and on Friday.

Among those who have been granted an audience with His Majesty tomorrow are Pejuang pro-tem chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, while UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's turn is on Friday.

The Sarawak Chief Minister's office, meanwhile, said all leaders from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), which consists of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), have received an invitation for an audience via video-conferencing with Al-Sultan Abdullah at 11 am on June 14.

Meanwhile, Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana Negara Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said a Special Meeting of Malay Rulers will be held at Istana Negara on June 16 to discuss efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 and its implementation during the emergency period.

The emergency was declared for the whole country on Jan 12 and enforced up to Aug 1 as a proactive measure to contain the worsening COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia now stands at 633,891 with 6,239 new infections reported today.

As for vaccinations, some 2,609,377 individuals have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose, taking the total number of first and second shots administered in the country to 3,790,121 doses as of yesterday.

-- BERNAMA