KUALA LUMPUR – Parliament will not be dissolved just yet despite persistent rumours and speculation that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to do so before Budget 2023 is tabled on Friday.
According to several political sources, while Ismail Sabri is set to seek an audience with the king tomorrow, it may not necessarily translate into getting the green light to dissolve Parliament the next day or over the weekend.
“A lot of effort and preparation has been made to table Budget 2023. To imply that it will be cancelled at the 11th hour due to Parliament being dissolved would be a sheer waste.
If elections are soon, the budget will need to be passed first in view of the current economic situation, and the prime minister realises this,” the source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said.
The source also pointed out that the tabling of the budget is pivotal for Ismail Sabri, Umno, and the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, as it will be “essentially be its election manifesto” going into the 15th general election.
It is learnt that tomorrow’s meeting could see the king assenting to Ismail Sabri’s proposal subject to certain conditions, including the passing of several bills in Parliament, crucially the Political Funding Bill.
“So, in contrast to the ongoing rumours, it won’t be this week, but most probably next week or in a couple of weeks’ time.”
Rumours of Parliament being dissolved this week emerged after scores of MPs received the notification that Ismail Sabri would dissolve Parliament by the eve of Budget 2023.
Several MPs, mostly from the opposition front, had even contacted The Vibes over the furore in an effort to verify this information.
Anti-hopping bill being enforced, won’t apply once Parliament dissolved
Meanwhile, another source said Parliament being dissolved soon will trigger a number of incumbent MPs to switch parties in time for the general election.
It is learnt that a number of MPs, namely from Bersatu, are waiting to jump ship in an effort to strategise their political ambitions and objectives.
This, the source said, was due to the Umno splinter party’s divisive views over working with BN.
Bersatu leaders are set for showdown talks over their party’s stance on BN. Some Bersatu leaders presently in the cabinet are open to the idea of working with BN.
“However, a group led by Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin are dead set against it.
“If the talks break down, these Bersatu MPs may opt to leave the party and become potential BN-friendly candidates,” the source said.
Despite the anti-hopping law coming into force today, the dissolution of Parliament will allow incumbents the option to switch parties and allegiances without any consequences. – The Vibes, October 5, 2022
