Date to dissolve Parliament not discussed in PM's meet with Agong; PM met Zahid subsequently

Date to dissolve Parliament not discussed in PM's meet with Agong


The date to dissolve Parliament was not discussed during Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today.

This was confirmed by a well-placed source in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and was supported by information Malaysiakini gathered from the palace.

When asked whether the date of dissolution was discussed with the king, the PMO source replied briefly: “It was not discussed.”

Meanwhile, Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin told Malaysiakini that today’s audience was just a pre-cabinet briefing.

“Today was just a pre-cabinet meeting, a weekly meeting,” he said when contacted.

While saying he was not privy to every detail of what was discussed, Fadil also said the palace has not received any instruction in regard to the dissolution of Parliament.

“His Majesty did not decree to make any statement,” he said, adding that this would likely mean the government will proceed with business as usual and table Budget 2023 tomorrow.


Ismail Sabri earlier said he would discuss the matter with the king if there was time to do so.

Umno resolved last Friday that the next general election must be held this year and that the prime minister will propose dates to the Agong soon.

Speculation was rife that Ismail Sabri would dissolve Parliament before the national budget is tabled tomorrow.

The prime minister is now at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, where he is expected to meet with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other party leaders.

[More to follow]


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PM meets Zahid after royal audience


Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is meeting Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after the former’s audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong earlier this evening.

Ismail Sabri has arrived at the party headquarters at Menara Dato’ Onn in Kuala Lumpur and is in discussions with Zahid.

The meeting is believed to be on the matter of parliamentary dissolution, following the prime minister’s audience with the king.

Meanwhile, an Umno source said the meeting between Ismail Sabri and Zahid is going well.

“Yes, the prime minister is meeting the president. In a harmonious atmosphere,” the source told Malaysiakini.

[More to follow]