Barely three hours had passed after Istana Negara announced that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had been appointed as the country's 10th prime minister when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in a statement, challenged the former to prove his numbers.

This was because Muhyiddin doubted that Anwar had managed to breach the 112-seat mark, after the former had sent to the palace statutory declarations (SDs) from 115 members of parliament who had given him their support.

Only the Sunday before, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg announced that GPS would form the new federal government with Perikatan Nasional (PN), Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

The announcement, however, was followed by several developments, including Pakatan Harapan's move to secure support for Anwar as the prime minister and form the next federal government. 

In reality, BN had yet to decide whether it would side with any party or remain the opposition after garnering only 30 seats.

It is understood that what transpired was that Muhyiddin failed to prove that he had secured a simple majority in order to convince Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to choose him.

"The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has to be sufficiently convinced in order to decide that, in his belief, a person has secured the majority to be appointed as the prime minister.

"The king would only make a decision once he was convinced. "Even though Muhyiddin had sent 115 SDs to the palace, it was not proof that all the names mentioned were in support of him," said a source.

To add to the confusion, BN had stated at the time that it would not join any coalition and would remain the opposition.

BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had also declared that BN had not negotiated with GPS, and that all BN members of parliament (MPs) had signed a pledge, giving him the mandate to decide on who they would join to form a federal government.

At the same time, Anwar said PH had a sufficient majority to form the government. He, however, did not state how many parties or MPs had supported him.

The source said there may have been an overlap in the names of those supporting Muhyiddin and Anwar, which led the palace to delay the decision on appointing the prime minister.

The source noted that, as per convention, Anwar, as a representative of the party with the most seats, could be allowed to form a minority government. The king, however, was keen on ensuring that only those who had passed the simple majority mark could form the new administration.

BN's subsequent announcement that it would join a government that "did not contain PN" was also an indication that Muhyiddin did not have the support of 115 MPs as he had claimed.

It also demonstrated a shift in BN's mindset, from content with being the opposition to joining Anwar and forming a government with PH.

The source said GPS may have also made an error when it announced that it would be forming a government with BN and PN, believing that Muhyiddin had managed to gain enough support from BN MPs.

They didn't anticipate Zahid to convince BN and the Umno Supreme Council to change their stand on being the opposition, despite their previous "No DAP, No Anwar" policy.

The episode came to a climax when Muhyiddin and Anwar were summoned to Istana Negara, with the king suggesting that they form a unity government for the sake of stability.

It is understood that Muhyiddin had rejected it, insisting that he had the majority's support — a stark contrast to Anwar, who expressed his inclination to form a unity government as per the king's suggestion.

The second audience with the king involved Zahid, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, representing BN, and four others representing GPS. This meeting led to the formation of a unity government, with the agreement that
Anwar would become prime minister.

Another factor that had led to an earlier conclusion of the drama was the wisdom of the king in addressing the issue.

The king's decision to convene a meeting of the Conference of Rulers was also key to ending the four-day political impasse and leading to the formation of a new government.

Anwar now shoulders the responsibility of bringing prosperity and unity over the next five years. Muhyiddin and PN, meanwhile, must become an effective opposition for the sake of the people and the country.