Malaysia PM Ismail Sabri arrives at palace to meet king amid speculation on parliament dissolution

Malaysia PM Ismail Sabri arrives at palace to meet king amid speculation on parliament dissolution

OBJECTIONS OVER GE15 DURING FLOODS

Amid signs of an impending GE15, the presidential council of main opposition bloc Pakatan Harapan said in a statement on Wednesday that the three states controlled by the coalition – Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang – will only dissolve their state assemblies next year due to concerns over floods. 

“The presidential council notes the report issued by the Meteorological Department which states that the La Nina phenomena and the north-east monsoon set to last until early next year could potentially see a high volume of rainfall and a high possibility of heavy rain and floods in many states,” the statement said. 

State assemblies led by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) will not be dissolved if a general election is held soon, said party deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man on Wednesday, according to a report by Free Malaysia Today

Perikatan Nasional (PN) Cabinet ministers have sent a letter to the king to voice their objections over holding GE15 this year, said Mr Tuan Ibrahim also said. 

The Environment and Water Minister said the letter was sent on Wednesday night, the Star reported. 

PN, which comprises Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and PAS, is a component of the ruling coalition together with UMNO-led Barisan Nasional.

In response to the concerns of holding GE15 during floods, UMNO’s Ahmad Zahid had criticised the opposition for using the floods and inflation narrative to resist an early general election, labelling the flood narrative as a “myth”.