Wan Junaidi: No PM has ever consulted cabinet on polls date

Wan Junaidi: No PM has ever consulted cabinet on polls date


There is no need for the prime minister to seek the cabinet’s consent to recommend the dissolution of Parliament, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

Responding to a question from reporters at Parliament today, Wan Junaidi (above) said this had always been the practice.

“Since Malaya was granted independence in 1957, the prime minister has never discussed (dissolution) with the cabinet,” he said.

Earlier today, Perikatan Nasional (PN) said its cabinet members and MPs have been instructed to disagree with the dissolution of Parliament.

PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin said his coalition believed that the country should be bracing for flood season and tackling inflation instead of elections.

Wan Junaidi’s opinion contradicted that of his cabinet colleague Hamzah Zainudin, who is also PN secretary-general.

According to Hamzah’s interpretation of the Federal Constitution, previous BN prime ministers could dissolve Parliament because they need not depend on the support of other coalitions.

Hamzah said Ismail Sabri was in a situation where he could not fire any of the cabinet members or risk losing the majority to serve as prime minister.

“And if he loses the majority, then he can’t advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong - he can only ask,” said Hamzah, according to Sinar Harian.

Wan Junaidi said although the prime minister need not heed the cabinet on the dissolution of Parliament, the matter was brought up in the cabinet two weeks ago.

“There was no agreement. The prime minister can use his discretion. No dates were mentioned.

“However, at least the cabinet knows that the idea had been discussed,” he said.