PETALING JAYA: MPs supporting Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as prime minister, which includes Barisan Nasional MPs, will be having an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Thursday (Aug 19) beginning 10am, says Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

       In a WhatsApp message shared with reporters, Ahmad said 42 Barisan MPs would depart for Istana Negara from its party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTC) by bus.

       "Only the winning team is invited for the support to be verified at the Istana Negara. This means that Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is the winning prime minister candidate, god-willing," he said in a text message.

       Ahmad also said the audience will be led by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

       "May Allah bless this noble struggle for the people," he added.

       Meanwhile, sources have also said that a timetable has been set for the Royal audience with the MPs supporting Ismail Sabri, where a group of 24 MPs, consisting of 18 from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and six Bersatu members in the first audience at 10am.

       The subsequent audience at 11.10am was set for 25 MPs, consisting of 12 MPs from Bersatu including party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, three independent MPs and 10 Umno MPs.

       The next audience at 2pm is set for 25 MPs, involving 12 MPs from Umno, and 13 Bersatu MPs.

       The subsequent audience is at 3.10pm, with 12 MPs from Umno, two from MCA, one from MIC, one from PBRS, one independent and three Umno MPs.

       The last audience is at 4.20pm, with all 18 MPs from PAS.

       At present, it is understood that the number of MPs supporting Ismail Sabri as prime minister stood at 115, taking into account 42 MPs from Barisan, 31 MPs aligned with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, PAS (18), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (18), Sabah STAR (one), Parti Bersatu Sabah (one) and four independent MPs.

       However, speculation is rife that Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah abstained from signing a statutory declaration for Ismail Sabri, hence making the number down to 114.

       Attempts to contact Tengku Razaleigh remain futile.

       On Tuesday (Aug 17), all MPs have been instructed to submit their vote on their prime minister candidate to the Istana Negara.

       Parliament Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun said all MPs have until 4pm Wednesday (Aug 18) to submit their vote in writing in a letter to the King.

       The letter has to be submitted via fax, email or WhatsApp and addressed to the King's private secretary Datuk Nazim Mohd Alim.

       Muhyiddin is presently the caretaker Prime Minister until his new successor is identified.