The Malaysian Insight

THE dissolution of parliament is necessary because other parties in the administration were not allied with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said.

He said it was clear that representatives from other parties that formed the government did not show solidarity with Ismail.

Ahmad said that this was the position taken during a special meeting with Umno’s Supreme Council yesterday.

“Umno is of the opinion that the dissolution of parliament was the best way, since representatives of the parties that formed the government were not showing solidarity with the prime minister in governing the country.

“Declaring Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) as the main enemies only showed a lack of trust and respect for the party leading the government,” he said.

Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin had previously said that Umno and BN are the party’s main enemies in the upcoming general election.

The Bersatu president said that PN component parties from PAS, Gerakan, Sabah Progressive Party, and Sabah Star should follow their move in rejecting Umno.

PAS, however, rejected the idea of making BN their main enemy and are still open to negotiations with Umno for the sake of unifying the ummah together with Bersatu and PAS.

PAS had also said that Pakatan Harapan is their main political enemy in the next polls.

Ismail had said that parliament was dissolved to end criticism of the legitimacy of the government’s administration.

With the dissolution, the general election needs to be held within 60 days.

Ahmad said Umno respects the decision of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve parliament and is of the opinion that the country cannot be left in a state of political uncertainty.

He said the party also believes that the mandate must be returned to the people to elect a government that can guarantee stability and prosperity of the country.

Yesterday, Ismail announced the dissolution of parliament to make way for the general election.

He said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had given his royal assent for the dissolution of the current parliament term, which was set to end in July next year

Umno also suggested that mid-November is the best time for the general election, before the monsoon season begins.

Ahmad said that Umno will leave it to the discretion of the Election Commission to determine the date.

The party also decided that the Umno general assembly set for November 23 to 26 will be postponed to a new date that will be announced later.

He said Umno will campaign in the general election with the theme of “stability and prosperity” like they did during the Malacca and Johor polls. – October 11, 2022.