Speaker confirms dissolution

KUALA LUMPUR: The 13th Malaysian Parliament was dissolved yesterday to pave the way for the 14th General Election.

The dissolution was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday after receiving consent from the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V.

Najib also advised the heads of all the state governments to seek the consent of the Sultans and Yang di-Pertuas Negeri to have their respective state assemblies dissolved so that the elections can be conducted simultaneously, except Sarawak, which held the state election on May 7, 2016.

Sabah, Perlis, Johor, Negri Sem­bilan, Melaka, Kelantan, Pahang and Kedah have also announced the dissolution of their respective state assemblies, effective today.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said he had received the proclamation on the dissolution of the 13th Parliament from Najib as provided for under Article 55 (2) of the Federal Constitu­tion.

Royal approval: Kedah Ruler Sultan Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah signing the dissolution watikah (letter of endorsement) of the Kedah state assembly presented by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah (with red tie) at Istana Darul Aman, Bukit Persekutuan. Looking on are (from left) state legal adviser Datuk Nor’Azura Mohamed Zohdi, state speaker Datuk Md Rozai Shafian and state secretary Datuk Bakar Din. — Bernama

Pandikar said the next matter would be in the hands of the Election Commission (EC) to conduct the general election process.

Meanwhile, EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah confirmed to Bernama that he received notice on the dissolution through email and would hold a special meeting to determine the important dates for the GE14.

A total of 14.9 million registered voters are eligible to vote in this general election based on the electoral rolls as at the fourth quarter of 2017.

Political observers predict that the election will be held at the end of this month or early next month before Muslims begin the Ramadan fast in the middle of May.