PETALING JAYA: A special meeting chaired by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is taking place at the Royale Chulan Hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

       Although it is unclear what the agenda of the meeting was, sources have indicated that it was just a normal meeting where party leaders congratulated Ismail Sabri over Istana Negara's announcement of his appointment as the ninth Malaysian Prime Minister.

       "Some MPs are here to congratulate and speak to him. That's all I can say," said the source.

       It is understood that it is a closed-door meeting involving Umno MPs.

       Ismail Sabri, who was spotted entering the hotel at 8.30pm on Friday (Aug 20) accompanied by security guards, waved to the press who waited at the lobby.

       Among the leaders spotted entering the hotel was Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin. He did not speak to press who had staked out at the hotel since 8pm.

       Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman was also spotted at the hotel shortly after Khairy arrived.

       Ismail Sabri will be sworn in as the ninth Prime Minister of Malaysia at Istana Negara on Saturday (Aug 21).

       He will be replacing Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who was prime minister for 17 months since March 2020.