Malaysia GE 15

[superadmin]

Hello GE15: PM Ismail Sabri announces Dewan dissolved

KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has just announced the dissolution of Parliament effective today, nine months ahead of the end of its full term.

Ismail Sabri’s announcement was televised live just after 3pm in a special address from the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya.

A snap general election will now be held within 60 days of the dissolution, and the Election Commission will meet to set the date.

It is widely speculated, however, that the 15th general election (GE15) could be held in early November to avoid the peak of the year-end monsoon season.

In the 2013 and 2018 general elections, the precedence was to hold polls one month after Parliament’s dissolution.

Ismail Sabri said in his announcement that the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had given royal consent to the dissolution of the 14th Parliament.

The prime minister had an audience with the Agong yesterday before his majesty left for an official visit to London until October 16.

- More -

[superadmin]

Pakatan-led states won’t dissolve assemblies in tandem with GE15: Loke

KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led states of Penang, Negri Sembilan and Selangor would not be dissolved in tandem with the 15th general election (GE15), DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook reiterated.

Loke said that all three government administrations will instead focus on helping the rakyat to brace for the year-end flood season.

“DAP will continue to support the PH presidential council’s decision not to dissolve the Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan assemblies so that each of the state administrations can focus on facing any potential disasters,” he said in a statement today.

- More -

[superadmin]

Agong had no choice, consented to polls for country’s stability: Istana Negara

KUALA LUMPUR – The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has expressed disappointment with the current situation, saying it has given His Majesty no choice but to consent to the prime minister’s request to dissolve Parliament.

Comptroller of the royal household of Istana Negara Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said that King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had thus agreed to the dissolution when he had an audience with caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday.

He said the meeting was held at noon, and was “unscheduled”.

“His majesty, in accordance with his powers as Yang di-Pertuan Agong as enshrined in Article 40(2)(b) and Article 55(2) of the federal constitution, gave his consent to the prime minister for Parliament to be dissolved.

“His majesty expressed his disappointment with the current political situation and his majesty had no choice but to consent to the prime minister’s request to allow the mandate to be returned to the people to choose a stable government,” Fadil said in a statement.

- More -

[superadmin]

Racist govt or multiracial one? Anwar asks voters as GE15 looms

KUALA LUMPUR – With the 15th general election (GE15) inevitable within 60 days, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded Malaysians of the choice they have: a racist government or one that upholds multiracialism.

In a speech posted to his Facebook, Anwar said that while Malays comprise the majority of the population, the government must uphold the rights of all communities if Malaysia is to survive.

“Without a doubt, the Malays are the majority in the country.

“However, we also cannot deny that this country consists of many other races.

- More -

[superadmin]

Malay-Muslim bloc will emerge regardless of GE15 outcome: analysts

KUALA LUMPUR – A Malay-Muslim bloc will likely helm Putrajaya again despite the strained relationships between parties and the ultimate outcome of the much anticipated 15th general election (GE15), political observers said.

They said although Umno and Bersatu appear to be in a tug-of-war for the ultra-Islamist PAS, the three will likely combine forces to form a government via a simple majority if the need arises.

Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Oh Ei Sun said the need for Malay parties to band together has been amplified since the infamous Sheraton Move that saw the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration in late February 2020.

“At least since the Sheraton Move, there is a determination on the part of the conservative Malays, which make up the bulk of the electorate, to ensure that a Malay-Muslim government will rule this country.

\

- More -

[superadmin]

‘Here we go’, social media react to impending GE15

PETALING JAYA: Netizens have taken to social media to express excitement and frustration over the dissolution of Parliament which paves the way for the next general election (GE15).

GE15 began trending on Twitter mere minutes after Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the dissolution of Parliament in a televised address this afternoon. GE15 must be held within 60 days.

One user, who goes by the handle @Real_Rash, exclaimed: “Parliament dissolved. Here we go.”

User @natmaurice_ said: “Whatever said and done let’s just go and vote. We might make a difference, you never know “.

- More -

[superadmin]

Ismail went against wishes of people, say DAP leaders

PETALING JAYA: The opposition has lambasted Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob for dissolving Parliament, paving the way for the 15th general election (GE15).

Klang MP Charles Santiago said the move was orchestrated by Umno’s “court cluster” against the wishes of the people.

“What’s sad is that the prime minister has succumbed to it (dissolving Parliament) and not stood up for the interest of all Malaysians,” the DAP leader told FMT.

The “court cluster” refers to Umno leaders who are either on trial or have been convicted on charges such as criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering.

Santiago said these Umno leaders favoured an early election in order for them to “stay out of jail”.

- More -

[superadmin]

PN, PH in shambles as GE15 looms, say analysts

PETALING JAYA: The dissolution of Parliament by the prime minister earlier today could leave Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in shambles as they prepare to face the 15th general election (GE15), say two analysts.

James Chin of University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute said the dissolution was a good move for Ismail and his party based on their track record in the Melaka and Johor state polls as well as that of their allies in Sarawak.

- More -

[superadmin]

EC opens postal voting registration for GE15

PETALING JAYA: The Election Commission (EC) has opened registration for postal voting for the 15th general election (GE15).

The commission said the deadline for registration will be announced after it determines the polling date.

“The EC will hold a special meeting to discuss and determine the important dates for GE15 as well as for the Bugaya state by-election in Sabah,” EC secretary Ikmalrudin Ishak said in a statement.

Ikmalrudin said EC members, election officers, police and military members as well as members of the media must apply manually for postal voting at the commission’s office in their respective constituencies.

Malaysians abroad can apply online at https://myspr.spr.gov.my/login.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the dissolution of Parliament in a special address earlier today, paving the way for GE15 to be held within the next 60 days.

The dates for nominations and polling will be decided by the EC.

[superadmin]

PAS to go all out with PN, Bersatu slams ‘weak’ Ismail

PETALING JAYA: PAS has pledged to go all out with its allies in Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the upcoming general election (GE15), following the dissolution of Parliament.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man told FMT that the Islamic party’s election machinery had already been told a year ago that Parliament might be dissolved in October this year.

Tuan Ibrahim added that PAS’ experience being part of the federal government for over two years will be an advantage as it would convince voters about the party’s capability in managing the country.

- More -