PETALING HAYA: MPs have left the Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur just before 11pm Friday (Aug 20) after a special closed-door meeting chaired by incoming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       Among those spotted leaving were Khairy Jamaluddin, MCA president and Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, Kuala Krau MP Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said, Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, and several others.

       Ismail Sabri waved to reporters as he left the hotel lobby in a heavily tinted black Toyota Veilfire.

       The MPs did not address the media as they left the hotel lobby.

       Earlier, Ismail Sabri was spotted arriving at the lobby at 8.30pm, accompanied by a group of eight bodyguards.

       There were also several press members who had staked out at the lobby ahead of the meeting.

       Sources have initially indicated that it was just a casual meeting involving Umno MPs following Istana Negara's announcement of Ismail Sabri’s appointment as the next Prime Minister.

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

       Ismail Sabri will be sworn in as the ninth Prime Minister of Malaysia at Istana Negara at 2.30pm on Saturday (Aug 21).

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