King Sultan Ibrahim of Malaysia granted an audience to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Istana Negara on May 18, 2026, with Chief Secretary Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar also present [1, 2]. On the same day, the King held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Attorney-General Tan Sri Dusuki Mokhtar, and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil [2].
During his audience with the Attorney-General, Sultan Ibrahim was presented with a reprinted copy of the Federal Constitution and its translation [2]. The King also received a 221-page bilingual coffee table book published by Bernama documenting his background and role, containing over 350 photographs and supported by 31 strategic partners including Tenaga Nasional Berhad and Petronas [3, 4].
In a ceremony at Istana Negara, Sultan Ibrahim presented instruments of appointment to 15 Malaysian envoys assigned abroad. Among those appointed were Ambassador to Japan Datuk Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani, High Commissioner to Singapore Datin Paduka Anizan Siti Hajjar Adnin, and High Commissioner to the UK Datuk Dr Azfar Mohamad Mustafar [5, 6].
Separately on May 18, the King also appointed members of the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) for the 2026-2028 term. Appointees included chairman Datuk Syed Kamarulzaman Syed Kabeer, deputy chairman Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee, and secretary Datuk Mohd Nizam Yahya [7].
The day before the audiences, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he was considering calling a snap general election amid coalition government tensions. He said he "is considering calling a snap election amid escalating tensions among parties in the coalition government" [1]. The next general election must be held by February 2028, but Anwar may propose an earlier dissolution of Parliament to coincide with state polls for Melaka and Johor expiring in February 2027 [1].
