After days of speculations, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri has announced the dissolution of parliament to make way for the country’s 15th General Election (GE15).
During a televised special announcement at 3pm today he said an election date is expected to be announced soon.
“In accordance with Article 40(2)(b) and Article 55(2) of the Federal Constitution, His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, has acted according to His Majesty’s discretion by granting my request, that the 14th Parliament be dissolved on today, Monday 10 October 2022.”
“Meanwhile, the determination of the dates for nomination day, voting day, and other related matters are subject to the decision of the Election Commission (SPR).”
Under the constitution, an election has to be held within 60 days from the day parliament is dissolved. By law, the latest time for GE15 to be held is next year.
The decision comes after months of pressure from Umno leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to dissolve Parliament and hold a snap election. However, it has raised concerns considering Malaysia is about to experience its annual monsoon season soon which displaced more than a hundred thousand people last year and left 54 dead.
On September 29, The Malaysian Meteorological Department warned that the country might experience widespread flash floods over the next two months.
According to a report by New Straits Times, the prime minister met with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Sunday afternoon to ask for his majesty’s approval to dissolve Parliament.
Article 55 of the Federal Constitution stipulates that only His Majesty The King has the absolute power to prorogue or dissolve the Parliament under the advice of the Prime Minister.
In Malaysia, a constitutional monarchy, the king frequently follows the prime minister’s advice. However, the monarch does have some discretionary rights, such as the ability to refuse to provide his approval for the dissolution of the parliament.
Since the 14th GE in 2018, Malaysia has struggled with political unrest when former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad led an opposition coalition to victory in elections over UMNO, which had ruled the nation through a stable coalition for more than 60 years.
Two governments have collapsed since then, including Mahathir’s. Ismail became Malaysia’s third prime minister in two years in August last year through negotiations instead of an election.
