Only King has power to decide on Parliament dissolution, says PM

PUTRAJAYA: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s authority to dissolve the Parliament cannot be challenged, says the Prime Minister.

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that any party has the right to express their views on the issue of dissolution.

“Anyone can give their opinion, even the Prime Minister.

“However, the power to decide on the issue is in the hands of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said after visiting the preparation of Budget 2023 at the Finance Ministry on Thursday (Oct 6).

Ismail Sabri was commenting on a letter dated Oct 3 that was signed by the 12 Cabinet ministers of Bersatu and PAS to state that they disagree that the general election be held this year.

The Prime Minister said the ministers were free to send a letter to the King to express their views.

“They can come up with a statement, write a letter. It is their prerogative. They are free to do so, but in the end, it is up to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said.

PAS deputy chairman Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who is also Environment and Water Minister, admitted that Perikatan Nasional ministers had sent a letter to the King to state their disagreement for the national polls to be held this year.

The letter stated that the Meteorological Department has forecast a severe monsoon to come, and to allow the nation's economy to recover more fully as both will impact the rakyat.