KUALA LUMPUR, 6 April 2018:
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today announced the dissolution of parliament – more than two months before the end of the current government’s five-year term, paving the way for a general election (GE14).
Najib said he met King Sultan Muhammad V to gain approval for the dissolution. “The king has recommended for parliament to be dissolved effective Saturday, April 7,” Najib said in a special announcement.
The Prime Minister also advised the heads of all the state governments to seek the consent of the Sultans and Yang Dipertuas Negeri to have their respective state assemblies dissolved – except in the case of Sarawak – so that the elections can be conducted simultaneously.
Polling day must be held within 60 days from the dissolution of parliament. The Election Commission is expected to meet within the week to announce a date for the vote – which is most likely to be held at the end of this month or in early May as political observers say it should be held before Muslims begin the Ramadan fast in the middle of May.
Najib announced the dissolution at the Prime Minister’s Office at the Perdana Putra Building here – in a departure from the norm where the announcement and dissolution take place on the same day.
“I wish to inform all Malaysians that I have had an audience with the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, and sought the consent of His Majesty to have the 13th Parliament dissolved on Saturday, 7 April 2018,” he said in his special address on the dissolution of the 13th Parliament.
The announcement on the dissolution of Parliament was broadcast live at noon over television and the Prime Minister’s official Facebook account.
With Najib at the announcement were Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Cabinet ministers.
A total of 14.9 million registered electors are eligible to vote in this general election based on the electoral rolls as at the fourth quarter of 2017.
– Bernama/Reuters