Azmin Ali makes his move with BN, for what?

Malaysiakini:

BN, PKR MPs gather at Azmin's official residence tonight

by Shakira Buang



BN MPs tonight gathered at Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali's official residence in Presint 10, Putrajaya.

The meeting began at around 9.30pm and lasted for about two hours.

The BN MPs were tightlipped on the purpose of their visit to the bungalow which sits by the Putrajaya Lake with a view of the Seri Perdana Complex - the prime minister's official residence.

Apart from BN MPs, some PKR MPs were also present. Sources said at least 22 BN MPs and five PKR MPs were at the meeting.

Malaysiakini was able to get visual confirmation on the presence of two PKR MPs, namely Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang) and Deputy Transport Minister Kamaruddin Jaffar (Bandar Tun Razak).

Zuraida (photo) merely waved at journalists but did not comment.

BN MPs leaving the property were equally tight-lipped.

One of them seen walking out of the compound was BN's Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Mohd Nor.

When quizzed about the meeting, he merely said: "There's nothing, I only came because my house is nearby".

Malaysiakini also spotted the vehicles of Umno MPs - Mastura Mohd Yazid (Kuala Kangsar), Abdul Rahman Mohamad (Lipis) and Ismail Abd Muttalib (Maran).

Ismail, when approached, also offered very little. "It's just between MPs and the minister," he said.

The final vehicle, a catering van, left at around midnight.

Azmin saw the journalists who have converged outside the house but did not meet them. Instead, he proceeded to enter the house.

Journalists were not able to pursue him for an explanation as the property was guarded by police.

The meeting came just two days after Harapan's landslide defeat in the Tanjung Piai by-election.

Some Harapan leaders have blamed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the coalition's devastating defeat and are suggesting that he hand over power to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

However, Azmin this morning came out in support of Mahathir and asked Harapan to rally behind him.

Azmin, who is in a feud with Anwar, had dismissed the latter's suggestion that he takes over after Mahathir completes two years in office.

The PKR deputy president had said anyone who tries to take over before the end of Mahathir's term would be a "backdoor government".

This after Azmin was speculated to be working with former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein, who is also the Sembrong MP, of gathering MPs to block Anwar's rise.

Related: Azmin fighting for his own survival.