PETALING JAYA: The King asked us to identify ourselves and state if we voted willingly for Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob without duress, said MPs who completed the audience at Istana Negara on Thursday (Aug 19) morning.

       The MPs, who do not want to be identified, from various parties including Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and Umno said that the audience was held in “a court-like atmosphere” where the King questioned every MP one by one.

       “The King was accompanied by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and Attorney General Tan Sri Idrus Harun,” said one MP.

       “The King got each MP to sit 10 feet in front of him.

       “The AG and KSN were at the King’s sides as witnesses,” said another MP.

       Another MP stated that the King asked each MP only two questions.

       “It was verification of identity followed by verification of what we wrote in the statutory declarations we sent yesterday (Aug 18).

       “His Majesty asked what is our name and what is our constituency.

       “Then, he asked us if we voted for Ismail willingly and under no duress,” said another MP.

       Exactly 114 MPs from Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Perikatan Nasional parties of Bersatu and PAS are in the process of meeting the King today on the issue of the candidate for the next Prime Minister.

       All the parties have stated that they preferred Ismail as the ninth prime minister, except for GPS.

       However, GPS’ Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has said that GPS leaned towards Ismail also.