Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the dissolution of Parliament today.
This comes barely 24 hours after Twentytwo13 was the first to report that Parliament could be dissolved today, following a meeting between Ismail Sabri and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara yesterday.
A black Audi ferrying the prime minister was spotted entering Istana Negara via the main gate yesterday afternoon.
Ismail Sabri, in his 3pm special address to the nation, confirmed meeting the Agong yesterday afternoon, adding that the King had signed the proclamation of the dissolution of the 14th Parliamentary term, effective today.
He also said that the dates for the much anticipated 15th General Election would be announced by the Election Commission.
The general election must be held within 60 days from the date of dissolution, while parliamentary proceedings must convene no later than 120 days from the date of dissolution.
In his speech, Ismail Sabri highlighted that the country had seen three Prime Ministers (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri) since 2018. He also noted that the Memorandum of Understanding between the government and the opposition had led to the passing of several significant laws like the anti-hoping law and the anti-sexual harassment bill.
Al-Sultan Abdullah and his consort, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, left for London last night. The King and Queen’s five-day special visit to the United Kingdom begins today.
While there, they will meet King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Oct 12 and officiate the Battersea Power Station project on the same day.
In recent days, speculation had been rife that the 15th General Election would take place “soon”.
On Oct 6, a day before Budget 2023 was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat, the Agong granted Ismail Sabri an audience. It was described as a “regular meeting”. It is unclear if the dissolution of Parliament was raised then.
Before meeting Ismail Sabri on Thursday morning, Al-Sultan Abdullah visited the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre.
There, the Agong received a briefing on the situation of the nation’s anticipated floods with the arrival of the monsoon season.
At a Maulidur Rasul event yesterday, Al-Sultan Abdullah called on all relevant agencies to make comprehensive preparations ahead of the possible floods due to the Northeast Monsoon in November.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department, in a statement on Sept 29, said the country will go through a monsoon transition phase from Oct 3 until the end of November. The monsoon season in Malaysia usually occurs between November and March of the following year.
For the record, in 1999, Malaysians went to the polls in November.
Umno leaders have been clamouring for the general election to happen this year.
While the Umno-led BN is bullish on their chances in the upcoming GE15, many believe that the mushrooming of new parties and the uncertain political landscape in Malaysia could result in a hung Parliament.
