There has been confusing information, with WhatsApp messages carrying speculations and rumours over the cause of the delay.

“There is no ceremony today,” a source close to the Pakatan Harapan chairman told FMT by phone outside the palace complex in Jalan Duta, where scores of journalists have been waiting since this afternoon.

FMT has learnt that a swearing-in ceremony in front of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, could be held later this evening at 9.30pm.

Dressed in black Baju Melayu, Mahathir, 93, had arrived at the National Palace at around 4.40pm in a black Proton Perdana bearing the licence plate “Proton 2020”, symbolic to his two well known legacies: the Proton national car and the “Vision 2020” charter, his blueprint for a developed nation status in 2020.

Earlier this morning, Najib Razak, fresh from his Barisan Nasional coalition’s historic defeat, said he would respect the verdict of the people, and appealed for calm to allow the Agong to decide the next prime minister.

“It will be based on who commands majority support from the majority of members of Parliament,” said Najib.

As the final results came in yesterday, the four-party Pakatan Harapan alliance headed by Mahathir won 113 federal seats, against BN’s 79. A simple majority of 112 is needed to form the government.

An earlier ceremony to swear in Mahathir at the palace this morning was cancelled today, without any reason given.