PUTRAJAYA: The political crisis in Malaysia continues as it enters Day 4. Interim Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is at his office in Putrajaya today where press members have been camped outside since 8am.
Dr Mahathir left the Perdana Putra building at about 5.30pm after his televised address to the nation.
He however did not use the entrance where press members were waiting for him.
According to the security personnel at the protocol gate, Dr Mahathir used the exit near the Putra Mosque.
Prime Minister’s Department's senior deputy secretary-general Datuk Mohd Sallahhuddin Hassan came to meet members of the media again at about 4.30pm, before the televised address by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“We are doing our best to look into the welfare of press members, who are here to cover the latest political developments,” he said.
“We understand they waited under the scorching sun yesterday.”
“Thank you for being with us. We have done our best to accommodate press members with tents, chairs and also food.”
Mohd Sallahhuddin also handed out more food, courtesy of agencies under the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry.
More companies have rallied their support behind the press members through food and power bank donations.
The food donations kept pouring in including from Brainy Bunch, Masala Wheels, Nestle for ice cream, Chatime, Chim Doo and also Pops Lab ice cream.
Xiaomi Malaysia workers came to give power banks. On each box there was a short hand-written note, saying, "You cover the news, we got you covered."
Xiaomi Malaysia came at about 3.40pm today.
Press members were asked to show their media passes in order to be eligible to receive the power banks.
At about 1.13pm Syed Saddiq left the building, but did not leave through the exit where press members were waiting.
At the same time, Dr Mahathir's wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali entered the Perdana Putra building in a black car.
At 12.37pm today, Dr Mahathir posted a tweet on his account @chedetofficial saying that he had just finished a meeting with Finance Ministry's top officials.
He said the meeting was to discuss on the Economic Stimulus Package. He said the initiative is expected to be announced soon.
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Armada chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman arrived at the Perdana Putra building at 11.05am today.
His car was stopped by reporters before entering the building.
He however did not say if he was going to meet Dr Mahathir.
It was understood that he had just returned from the palace.
"We will try to speed up the process. Please pray for the best," he said.
While waiting for latest developments here, food has been pouring in for media personnel for lunch.
Among those bringing food were radio station ERA, AirAsia's menu brand Santan and also good samaritans.
Interim Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived at the Perdana Putra building at 8.25am today.
Meanwhile, at about 8.57am, the Prime Minister's Department senior deputy secretary-general Datuk Mohd Sallahhuddin Hassan greeted the media and distributed breakfast of packed nasi lemak and plain water.
He then went to the media's waiting area where two small tents were located and joined press members for breakfast.
The tents were set up yesterday to provide more convenience to the members of the media currently working to provide updates on the political situation in the country.
After about 20 minutes, Sallahhuddin and his entourage returned to the Perdana Putra building.
Besides that, the Prime Minister's Department has also provided chairs for media personnel at about 10.50am today to aid in their work.
There were about 40 media personnel gathered near the protocol gate of the Perdana Putra building.