[UPDATED] PM to present date to king to dissolve Parliament within this year: Umno sec-gen

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will present a suitable date to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament and pave the way for a general election to be held this year, said Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

Reading out a statement to the press following the conclusion of the Umno Supreme Council meeting earlier today, Ahmad said this is in line with the party’s decision to return the mandate back to the people.

“The dissolution of Parliament must be held soon, to allow the 15th general election to be held within this year. 

“Based on this decision, the prime minister will present a date for dissolution to the king in line with Article 40 of the federal constitution,” said Ahmad.

Ahmad also said that all party machinery have been ordered to immediately finalise their respective preparations before Parliament is dissolved.

In the same statement, he also said that Umno welcomes the decision by Ismail Sabri in urging the relevant agencies to investigate whether former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas had committed any wrongdoing in light of claims made in his memoir My Story: Justice in the Wilderness published in January 2021.

This is after Ismail Sabri had ordered the authorities to investigate Thomas for sedition and breaching the Official Secrets Act, among others, over several allegations he made in the autobiography.

Ahmad also stated that the meeting took note of PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s meeting with party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently.

However, Ahmad did not take any questions from the press for further clarification after immediately reading out his statement. – The Vibes, September 30, 2022

Additional reporting by Lancelot Theseira, Adam Ayzzat