Sin Chew Daily

As scheduled, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on October 13.

At a press conference held later, Anwar, the Opposition Leader, said he showed the King the evidence of support he had received from members of parliament, including statutory declarations and supporting documents from party leaders.

Based on the procedure, the King will need to have an audience with all party chiefs and make a decision upon verification.

However, the Palace said in a statement later on the same day that Anwar did not submit the names of MPs supporting him to form the new government.

On September 23, Anwar announced in a high-profile media conference that he had secured enough support from MPs to take over the PN-led government.

Anwar also claimed that he had sought an audience with the King on this matter but the meeting was canceled as His Majesty was admitted to hospital.

The matter has since caused a stir in the Malaysian political circle.

Most people hold the view that it is impossible for Anwar to garner majority support from MPs. The number of seats under Pakatan Harapan and Parti Warisan Sabah will not be enough, unless Anwar secures support from at least some of the MPs from Umno and GPS.

Nevertheless, this is not the first time Anwar has claimed he has enough support to form a government.

In 2008, Anwar claimed that he had the numbers to form a new government. The incident remains fresh in the minds of many after 12 years.

On October 8, Anwar announced he was granted an audience with the King. If Anwar did not have the numbers, it would be disrespect to seek an audience with His Majesty. The Palace would not have given him the opportunity at all.

Anwar's announcement was followed by PN lawmakers denying their allegiance to him, some declaring their undivided loyalty to PM Muhyiddin Yassin. However, both Muhyiddin and his PPBM remained silent.

At the same time, some politicians opine that Anwar should not be plotting a coup during the third wave of COVID-19.

The coronavirus infection curve, which has been successfully flattened with several phases of movement control orders, is back after the Sabah state elections.

Millions of people in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya find themselves subjected to conditional MCO again.

People at large are generally unhappy with politicians violating the SOPs and the government's double standard approach in its enforcement.

People also get fed up with the never-ending political infighting.

Under the COVID-19 pandemic and political instability, the country is in a state of uncertainty which has affected the lives of many, especially the economic sector and the employment market.

The country needs a stable political situation and a capable leader to take charge now. This should be a key criteria for His Majesty when deciding the candidacy for the PM's office.

Several political party heads were granted audience with the King after Anwar had an audience with him.

If the King receives confirmation from respective parties that Anwar indeed has the majority support of MPs, then he should be able to declare Anwar as PM or order the Dewan Rakyat to pass the confidence motion.

Sure enough PM Muhyiddin can seek the King's consent to dissolve the Parliament to pave way for fresh polls under such circumstances.

If His Majesty is of the view that Anwar has not complied with the procedure and is unable to convince the Palace, then the King will order status quo to remain for the incumbent administration in a bid to contain the virus and revive the economy.

This will mean Anwar's plot to overturn the government fails again, and this will also likely spell the end of his political career.

From the statement issued by the Palace, it is obvious His Majesty is more concerned about the pandemic. Dissolving the Parliament is not his priority.

The Sabah election is a lesson learned. Let's wait for the King's announcement.