[UPDATED] Decision pending on Melaka snap polls: Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR – The cabinet has met and discussed the situation in Melaka, which will see a by-election in less than two months but has yet to reach a decision on whether to declare an emergency in the state.

During a press conference at Auditorium Perdana, Wisma Radio, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri explained that Deputy Agong Sultan Nazrin Shah must first be briefed by relevant agencies before any decisions can be made.

“The cabinet has met and discussed the matter. However, the Deputy Agong must first receive a briefing from the attorney-general, Health Ministry and Election Commission.”

After which, Ismail Sabri said, the cabinet will meet next week and decide on the matter.

Recently, four Melaka assemblymen formally withdrew support for the state leadership, citing loss of confidence in then Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali’s handling of the government.

This triggered a collapse in the Melaka administration after the rug was pulled by Datuk Seri Idris Haron, Datuk Nor Azman Hassan, Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad.

A day later, on October 5, Melaka Governor Tun Mohd Ali Rustam dissolved the state assembly retroactively, where it came into effect on October 4.

The dissolution, however, was gazetted on the day Ali made the announcement. – The Vibes, October 8, 2021