As the country's political deadlock drags on to its second day, the Yang diPertuan Agong has stepped in to save the day.

The King, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, will personally interview all Members of Parliament (MPs) to gauge who has the majority in the Parliament.

According to comptroller of the Comptroller of the Royal Family and Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, 90 MPs will be personally interviewed by the King, starting 2.30pm today, and the session is expected to go on until 7pm.

The interview, lasting about 2 to 3 minutes each, will be witnessed by Chief Secretary to the government, Mohd Zuki Ali. The remaining MPs will be interviewed tomorrow.

"It will start with the first group of MPs numbering 90 people. Everyone will be called.They will be arranged in a row and called," Ahmad Fadil told a press briefing this afternoon.

The interview method, under Article 43(2) of the Federal Constitution, is reportedly being used for the first time in the country.

Ahmad Fadil, however, did not reveal who were the MPs interviewed today, but said the lawmakers will not be interviewed according to party lines.

The deadlock came following Dr Mahathir Mohamad's resignation as the prime minister yesterday, which also saw the removal of all cabinet ministers. Mahathir also quit as Bersatu chairperson.

The King had consented to Mahathir's resignation, but appointed the latter to become the interim premier, until a new prime minister, and cabinet, is appointed.

Mahathir's resignation happened after former PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, and his faction, as well as representatives from Bersatu, BN, PAS, GPS and Warisan, met with the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on the formation of a new government, over the weekend.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim later said that those staging the coup had used Mahathir's name without his consent.

Azmin, and senior PKR leader Zuraida Kamarudin, were later fired from PKR over the move. Their exit caused an exodus of at least nine other MPs from the party.

Meanwhile, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin also announced that the party was quitting Harapan, and all the party's MPs will quit the coalition.

Pakatan Harapan coalition partners Amanah and DAP have both voiced support for Mahathir to continue as PM.



Photo source: Astro Awani