Dissolution imminent
If Ismail Sabri had not secured the king’s signature for the dissolution, he would have had to wait for another audience with the ruler.
(NST) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob who sought an audience with the king yesterday afternoon, could announce the dissolution of parliament in the next 48 hours.
Ismail Sabri’s audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, hours before the king left for the United Kingdom last night, was likely for the ruler to sign the instrument for the dissolution of parliament (watikah pembubaran).
A source alerted the New Straits Times to Ismail Sabri’s presence at Istana Negara yesterday, a photo opportunity which the media corp missed.
“The date of the dissolution would need to be clearly stated on the instrument of dissolution, before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong could sign it.
“…And once signed, the dissolution should be announced very soon after,” the same source said.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah are on a special visit to the United Kingdom from today until Oct 16.
If Ismail Sabri had not secured the king’s signature for the dissolution, he would have had to wait for another audience with the ruler.
The special visit to London includes a meeting with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on Oct 12.
The royal couple are also scheduled to officiate the opening of the Battersea Power Station – Malaysia’s iconic project in London.
Tonight, Umno leaders including Ismail Sabri – who is vice-president, are expected to attend a special supreme council meeting.
“… The prime minister may be giving a briefing (during the meeting),” a party source said.
The meeting will also likely decide on the party’s stand on Pas, which to date, had not met Umno’s pre-requisites for it to be the party’s running mate in GE15.
Umno imposed three conditions on Pas – that the party must sever political ties with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), exit the Perikatan Nasional coalition and announce publicly that it has mufaraqah (leave a congregation) from Bersatu.
The party was also given an ultimatum to announce openly that it agrees with Umno’s terms.