Coalition Backs Ismail Sabri's Bid For Top Job, Anwar Seen As Likely Opposition Candidate

Negotiations surrounding the selection of candidate for Malaysia's next Prime Minister have shown some progress, with just a couple of names apparently still in the game.

• Barisan Nasional and UMNO Supreme Council have both endorsed Ismail Sabri Yaakob as their choice for Premier, with source reports suggesting that all lawmakers have put their declarations in writing. Ismail Sabri had been mentioned as a likely candidate, given that he was both Muhyiddin's Deputy in the Cabinet and is UMNO's Vice President.
• PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim said that the Opposition's joint nominee will be either him or Parti Warisan Sabah President Mohd Shafie Apdal, depending on a given candidate's ability to garner support of 111 lawmakers. The opposition commands the support of 105 MPs, which means that either Anwar or Shafie would have to sway 6 lawmakers from rival parties.
• Malay Mail sources said that Anwar is more likely to get the combined Opposition to support his bid. However, he has to fight an uphill battle for support from across the aisle, which makes Ismail Sabri the front-runner for the top job.
• Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Speaker Azhar notified MPs to submit their nominations until 1600MYT/0900BST. Separately, the Agong has called a special meeting of the Malay Rulers for Friday. The monarch is set to use this opportunity to reveal the name of a candidate backed by majority of MPs to Malaysia's sultans.
• Mohd Shafie Apdal cited the King as noting that he wanted the support for whoever is picked as next PM to be tested in parliament rather than through the lawmakers' statutory declarations.