Malaysia Prime Minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob has just announced in a live speech at 3pm that Malaysia parliament will dissolve today(10 Oct).
This means that Malaysia’s 15th General Election can be held as early as November.
Mr Ismail confirmed that he had an audience with the King yesterday afternoon, and Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented to dissolving Parliament accordance to Article 40 (2)(b) and Article 55(2) of the Federal Constitution.
Malaysian sultan had earlier departed from the country on 9.30 pm yesterday to officiate the opening of the Battersea Power Station, Malaysia’s iconic project in London.
The Malaysia PM said that incumbent government had been constantly questioned and criticized as a back door government, hence the dissolution of the parliament will return the mandate to the people.
“The people’s mandate is a powerful antidote for the country to manifest political stability and create a strong, stable and respected Government after GE15. ” said Mr Ismail, urging Malaysians to exercise their rights to choose a government that is capable to implement the Budget 2023, stabilize the political situation and to strengthen the economy.
He also encourage all state government except Sabah, Sarawak, Melaka and Johor to dissolve their respective State Assemblies and held state polls on the same date as GE15.
“It should be held simultaneously to ensure that the people are not burdened, in addition to the smoothness of the democratic process and to save costs”,
Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamid, had confirmed that BN-led states will dissolve their legislative assemblies simultaneously with the dissolution of Parliament.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) had previously announced that it would not dissolve state assemblies in Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan; PAS (Malaysian Islamic Party)- led State government (Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu) also opt to not follow the dissolution due to monsoon flood concerns.
In his speech today, Mr Ismail reiterated that with a total spending of RM 372.3 Billion, this budget is proof of the incumbent government’s commitment to ensure that no one is marginalized.
Speculations of dissolution ahead of annoucement
Earlier on 26 August, Law Minister Wan Junaidi announced that 2023 budget will be tabled on 7 Oct instead of 28 Oct which fuelled speculation that United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) — the largest bloc in the ruling coalition in Malaysia, wishes to call election early to avoid the year-end monsoon season, which would normally result in major floodings especially in East Coast Peninsula.
Last Friday, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz during his tabulation of Budget 2023, claimed that the budget can be tabled again after elections are held, referring to the precedent in 1999 where the budget was presented again after the dissolution of parliament.
Ismail has been facing immense pressure from his party, UMNO to dissolve parliament. His party president, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi argued that no issue to call for election during monsoon season , and mocked the opposition parties for being worried about losing in the General Election.
The 14th Malaysia Parliament has earlier commenced on 25 June 2018 after GE14 and is still nine months short of a full term. An election according to Malaysian constitution, must be held no later than mid- September 2023.
As the parliament has been announced to be dissolved, an election must be held within 60 days. The Election Commission will soon set a date for nomination and polling day.
The incumbent government will automatically be the caretaker government during this period where the parliament has been dissolved.
No new legislation will be passed or signed by any minister as parliament already dissolved. Therefore the recently announced Malaysian Budget 2023 will have to be retabled by the new government
Ismail Sabri leads a coalition of 115 Member of Parliaments, out of 222 seat in Parliament. Former Prime Minister Najib Razak as MP for Pekan was earlier sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment for seven counts of graft, while two other seats are vacant due to passing of the MPs.
Ismail’s current cabinet consists of:
- 11 MPs from UMNO (United Malays National Organisation, 11),
- 1 MP from Malaysia Chinese Association (MCA),
- 1 MP from Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC),
- 9 MPs from BERSATU (Malaysian United Indigenous Party),
- 4 MPs from Gabungan Parti Sarawak,
- 1 MP from Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah
- 1 MP from Parti Bangsa Malaysia, and
- 3 MPs from PAS (Malaysian Islamic Party).