PUTRAJAYA: Umno is expected to finalise its candidate for the prime minister's post at a supreme council meeting Tuesday (Aug 17) night.

       The meeting, with both physical and virtual attendees, will be held at Menara Dato Onn, and is expected to start at 8pm.

       It is learnt that Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has been in the building since Tuesday afternoon.

       The meeting is crucial as Umno has to collectively decide on a single name as the party's candidate for the premiership.

       This is as per Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun's directive, who said that Members of Parliament are to submit their vote in writing by 4pm Wednesday (Aug 18).

       In a statement late Monday (Aug 16), Ahmad Zahid among others, said Umno would be proposing a number of candidates to succeed Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       Party sources said there has been no instruction to prepare for a press conference or a media statement yet.

       Earlier Tuesday, leaders of political parties were granted an audience (each separately) by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara.

       Muhyiddin announced his resignation as prime minister on Monday, saying it was in accordance with the Federal Constitution as he no longer commanded majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.

       The Perikatan Nasional government was led by Muhyiddin since March last year.