PM’s discretion to determine Parliament dissolution date, says Wan Junaidi

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has the sole discretion to determine the date of the dissolution of Parliament, says Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

"Since Independence, the Prime Minister does not need to discuss with the Cabinet the date for the dissolution of Parliament.

"It (date) is at the Prime Minister's discretion," said the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Parliament and Law at a press conference in Parliament's media centre on Tuesday. (Oct 4).

Although Ismail Sabri did raise the matter up with the Cabinet two weeks ago, Wan Junaidi said discussions centred on matters with regard to seeking an audience with the King to propose a date to dissolve Parliament.

"It was up to the discretion of the Prime Minister and at least the idea (dissolution) was discussed with the Cabinet," he added.

Wan Junaidi was asked in his capacity as de facto law minister whether the date of dissolution of Parliament was decided collectively by the Cabinet, or was at the sole discretion of the Prime Minister.

Even if a date was proposed by the Prime Minister, Wan Junaidi said that the King retained the constitutional power to refuse consent to dissolve Parliament.