PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional sent the statutory declarations (SDs) of its MPs to Istana Negara on Tuesday (Aug 17) night after the meeting at its headquarters ended just before midnight, say sources.

       Sources from Umno said that all the SDs were prepared last night and were signed by the MPs before they were gathered and sent to the King in the format requested.

       "As we were already there in one room and we had decided unanimously, we decided not to waste any more time. All the MPs put down their signatures and sent the SDs to the Istana.

       "The Istana has received all SDs from Barisan MPs, who agreed on Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the candidate for the post of ninth prime minister," the source said.

       A Barisan meeting of all its MPs on Tuesday agreed to unanimously support the former deputy prime minister and defence minister as the next prime minister.

       There are currently 42 Barisan MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

       Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia said it is understood that all the SDs must follow a certain format and reach the Istana by 4pm Wednesday (Aug 18).

       Bersatu MPs are preparing their SDs and pockets of MPs are gathered in a few places before they are all sent together.

       "We don't want any of the SDs from Bersatu to be declared null and void just because of technical reasons.

       "So, we are being very careful to ensure all the SDs are in order before they are sent," said a Bersatu supreme council member.

       PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said all 18 of its MPs have prepared the SDs and it has been sent to Istana.

       Members of the Dewan Rakyat have until 4pm Wednesday to submit the name of a nominee they support as the next prime minister of the country.

       On Tuesday, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun informed all MPs to submit in writing their choice of candidate to Istana Negara via fax, email or WhatsApp.

       It is to be addressed to the King’s private secretary Datuk Nazim Mohd Alim.

       “As instructed by a decree from His Majesty, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, I hereby give notice to you to submit one letter stating clearly one member of the Dewan Rakyat whom you give your support to be the ninth prime minister,” Azhar said in a letter Tuesday.

       “Although the declaration letter does not have any specific format, it requires details such as the parliamentarian’s identity and the person who has obtained the MP's trust to become prime minister.

       “The declaration must be certified as a true copy before a lawyer or Commissioner of Oaths,” he added.

       Azhar also said hand-delivered submissions would not be allowed as Istana Negara was located in an area under Phase One of the National Recovery Plan.

       This is to prevent an outbreak of Covid-19.

       Azhar said late submissions and letters that did not fulfil the conditions required would not be entertained.

       “MPs are reminded to maintain secrecy over the content of the letter until the Yang di-Pertuan Agong decides on the matter,” he added in his letter.