A statement issued by Abang Johari’s office tonight said that he had received a “courtesy call” from the Council of Eminent Persons chairman and former finance minister earlier today.

“During the half-hour meeting, they discussed various matters of interest on national and state issues, economic development in particular.”

Yesterday, Abang Johari said while he knew about Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s meeting with leaders from GPS, of which he heads, he did not attend it. The Satok assemblyman did not explain his absence.

He also claimed that the leaders were invited by Mahathir.

Abang Johari said this after Mahathir confirmed that he had a meeting on Tuesday with a group of opposition politicians, including those from GPS, who had pledged their support for him to complete a full term as the prime minister.

Meanwhile, Malaysiakini reported that Abang Johari also met PKR president Anwar Ibrahim on July 28 and PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin the day after.