Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he could propose a date for the dissolution of parliament in a Thursday meeting with the country's monarch, though the palace played down the meeting as a regular weekly discussion.

The palace said the two held a "routine" meeting to discuss government matters. Its statement did not mention dissolution. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's office did not have an immediate comment.

An election is not due until September 2023, but Ismail has been under pressure from some factions of his ruling coalition to hold the vote earlier for a stronger mandate and due to infighting.

If he dissolves parliament soon, the election would come just as the economy starts to feel the pinch of rising costs and a global slowdown. It would also coincide with the year-end monsoon season and floods, which could reduce voter turnout.

Ismail met King Al-Sultan Abdullah at the national palace at 4 p.m. (0800 GMT) and left about 45 minutes later.

Before the meeting, Ismail said he would mainly discuss cabinet matters with the king and that a date for dissolution of parliament would be submitted only if there was time, the Bernama news agency said.

"Still unsure whether it will be brought up. If it takes too long to discuss cabinet issues, it will be about cabinet only," Ismail said.

His government is set to present its 2023 budget in parliament on Friday, the finance ministry has said, putting to rest some speculation that a dissolution could be announced before that.

An election must be held within 60 days of dissolution.

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy and the king typically acts on the prime minister's advice. But the king does wield certain discretionary powers, including withholding consent for the dissolution of parliament.

MIXED VIEWS IN RULING COALITION

Last week, Ismail's party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the biggest in the ruling coalition, said the premier would seek the king's consent to dissolve parliament this year, spurring speculation that Ismail could call polls any day.

However, Ismail's coalition is not unanimous on the timing of an election.

Many alliance partners have cited economic problems, such as the rising cost of living and the anticipated year-end floods, as reasons not to hold a vote this year.

Malaysia was hit late last year by unusually heavy rain and floods that caused damage of about 6 billion ringgit ($1.3 billion).

Some cabinet ministers wrote to the monarch this week asking him not to hold elections this year due to flood risks, according to domestic media.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he could propose a date for the dissolution of parliament in a Thursday meeting with the country's monarch, though the palace played down the meeting as a regular weekly discussion.

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he could propose a date for the dissolution of parliament in a Thursday meeting with the country's monarch, though the palace played down the meeting as a regular weekly discussion. The palace said the two held a "routine" meeting to discuss government matters. Its statement did not mention dissolution. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's office did not have an immediate comment. An election is not due until September 2023, but Ismail has been under pressure from some factions of his ruling coalition to hold the vote earlier for a stronger mandate and due to infighting. If he dissolves parliament soon, the election would come just as the economy starts to feel the pinch of rising costs and a global slowdown. It would also coincide with the year-end monsoon season and floods, which could reduce voter turnout. Ismail met King Al-Sultan Abdullah at the national palace at 4 p.m. (0800 GMT) and left about 45 minutes later. Before the meeting, Ismail said he would mainly discuss cabinet matters with the king and that a date for dissolution of parliament would be submitted only if there was time, the Bernama news agency said. "Still unsure whether it will be brought up. If it takes too long to discuss cabinet issues, it will be about cabinet only," Ismail said. His government is set to present its 2023 budget in parliament on Friday, the finance ministry has said, putting to rest some speculation that a dissolution could be announced before that. An election must be held within 60 days of dissolution. Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy and the king typically acts on the prime minister's advice. But the king does wield certain discretionary powers, including withholding consent for the dissolution of parliament. MIXED VIEWS IN RULING COALITION Last week, Ismail's party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the biggest in the ruling coalition, said the premier would seek the king's consent to dissolve parliament this year, spurring speculation that Ismail could call polls any day. However, Ismail's coalition is not unanimous on the timing of an election. Many alliance partners have cited economic problems, such as the rising cost of living and the anticipated year-end floods, as reasons not to hold a vote this year. Malaysia was hit late last year by unusually heavy rain and floods that caused damage of about 6 billion ringgit ($1.3 billion). Some cabinet ministers wrote to the monarch this week asking him not to hold elections this year due to flood risks, according to domestic media. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Malaysia PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob raises prospect of early election

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob confirmed on Tuesday that he will be meeting with King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, without specifying the agenda of the meeting which is likely to be held on Thursday. He informed reporters that it was an ordinary pre-Cabinet briefing. Local media reports suggest that he also said that the decision on when to dissolve parliament is his prerogative.&nbsp;

The supreme council of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) had decided Friday night to dissolve the parliament soon so that general elections can be held this year. Ismail Sabri was reported to present a proposed dissolution date to the king later.

On Tuesday, the New Straits Times quoted the Prime Minister as saying, “Some people say (parliament dissolution will be done) before the (tabling of 2023) budget, some say after budget on Monday. Others say this month or November and even next year."

There has been speculation that Ismail Sabri might dissolve parliament after the budget for 2023 is tabled this Friday.&nbsp;

He added that he will seek a dissolution if he feels it is the right time to dissolve parliament.

“Before this, it (the dissolution) was never discussed openly. In the past, if the prime minister announced parliament would be dissolved, it would be dissolved,” he was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today.

“There was no such thing as other political parties giving their views or trying to interfere.”

“I will consider all ideas and views. But these views do not have any bearing on the (prime minister’s) power to propose (the dissolution of parliament) to the king,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob confirmed on Tuesday that he will be meeting with King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, without specifying the agenda of the meeting which is likely to be held on Thursday.

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob confirmed on Tuesday that he will be meeting with King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, without specifying the agenda of the meeting which is likely to be held on Thursday. He informed reporters that it was an ordinary pre-Cabinet briefing. Local media reports suggest that he also said that the decision on when to dissolve parliament is his prerogative. The supreme council of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) had decided Friday night to dissolve the parliament soon so that general elections can be held this year. Ismail Sabri was reported to present a proposed dissolution date to the king later. On Tuesday, the New Straits Times quoted the Prime Minister as saying, “Some people say (parliament dissolution will be done) before the (tabling of 2023) budget, some say after budget on Monday. Others say this month or November and even next year." There has been speculation that Ismail Sabri might dissolve parliament after the budget for 2023 is tabled this Friday. He added that he will seek a dissolution if he feels it is the right time to dissolve parliament. “Before this, it (the dissolution) was never discussed openly. In the past, if the prime minister announced parliament would be dissolved, it would be dissolved,” he was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today. “There was no such thing as other political parties giving their views or trying to interfere.” “I will consider all ideas and views. But these views do not have any bearing on the (prime minister’s) power to propose (the dissolution of parliament) to the king,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Malaysia PM says decision to dissolve parliament is his prerogative, to meet King soon

Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the prime minister of Malaysia, on Friday (30 September) ordered an investigation into any wrongdoing on the part of a former top prosecutor who had filed corruption investigations against numerous high-ranking members of his party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).&nbsp;

According to a statement from the prime minister, Tommy Thomas, who held the office of the attorney general from 2018 to 2020, will be looked into for sedition, unauthorised disclosure of state secrets, and abuse of authority.&nbsp;

Some UMNO members have pushed Ismail Sabri to look into Thomas, who wrote about some of the important choices he made while serving as attorney general in a memoir last year.&nbsp;

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These included, among others, charging Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the president of the UMNO, and ex-premier Najib Razak, who is currently incarcerated, with corruption.&nbsp;

The accusations against Ahmad Zahid and Najib, who both maintain their innocence, were made for political reasons, they claim. Both individuals are still quite powerful and were among the party members that demanded the investigation into Thomas.&nbsp;

A coalition formed by Thomas, who was selected by Mahathir Mohamad, ousted UMNO in 2018 amid widespread charges of corruption.&nbsp;

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However, the party took back control of the government last year when Ismail Sabri was chosen as prime minister after the fall of two successive governments, including Mahathir's.&nbsp;

Ismail Sabri is expected to attend a meeting of senior UMNO officials later on Friday to discuss possible election dates, Malaysian media reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the prime minister of Malaysia, on Friday (30 September) ordered an investigation into any wrongdoing on the part of a former top prosecutor who had filed corruption investigations against numerous high-ranking members of his party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).

Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the prime minister of Malaysia, on Friday (30 September) ordered an investigation into any wrongdoing on the part of a former top prosecutor who had filed corruption investigations against numerous high-ranking members of his party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). According to a statement from the prime minister, Tommy Thomas, who held the office of the attorney general from 2018 to 2020, will be looked into for sedition, unauthorised disclosure of state secrets, and abuse of authority. Some UMNO members have pushed Ismail Sabri to look into Thomas, who wrote about some of the important choices he made while serving as attorney general in a memoir last year. ALSO READ | Hurricane Ian makes landfall in South Carolina after pummeling Florida These included, among others, charging Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the president of the UMNO, and ex-premier Najib Razak, who is currently incarcerated, with corruption. The accusations against Ahmad Zahid and Najib, who both maintain their innocence, were made for political reasons, they claim. Both individuals are still quite powerful and were among the party members that demanded the investigation into Thomas. A coalition formed by Thomas, who was selected by Mahathir Mohamad, ousted UMNO in 2018 amid widespread charges of corruption. ALSO READ | India scuttles China's attempt to pass anti-AUKUS resolution at IAEA meet However, the party took back control of the government last year when Ismail Sabri was chosen as prime minister after the fall of two successive governments, including Mahathir's. Ismail Sabri is expected to attend a meeting of senior UMNO officials later on Friday to discuss possible election dates, Malaysian media reported. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Malaysia PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob orders investigation for misconduct into former attorney-general

Malaysia's king appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the prime minister on Friday, replacing Muhyiddin Yassin, who stepped down this week after losing his parliamentary majority.

Ismail Sabri, who was Muhyiddin's deputy, takes over as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with a surge in COVID-19 infections and an economic slump, amid growing public anger over the handling of the health crisis. He will be sworn in on Saturday.

He secured majority support, with the backing of 114 of parliament's 222 members, the palace said in a statement.

His predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin quit Monday following a turbulent 17 months in office after losing parliamentary support, as anger grew over his government's handling of a worsening coronavirus outbreak.&nbsp;

The incoming leader is from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the lynchpin of a coalition that governed for six decades until losing power in 2018 amid the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB graft scandal.

UMNO had already regained a foothold in power as a partner in the last government, and Ismail Sabri's victory means they have now reclaimed the country's top job without elections.

The king has said the new prime minister will have to face a confidence vote in parliament to prove his majority soon after his appointment.

(With inputs from agencies)

Malaysia's king appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the prime minister on Friday, replacing Muhyiddin Yassin, who stepped down this week after losing his parliamentary majority.

Malaysia's king appointed Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the prime minister on Friday, replacing Muhyiddin Yassin, who stepped down this week after losing his parliamentary majority. Ismail Sabri, who was Muhyiddin's deputy, takes over as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with a surge in COVID-19 infections and an economic slump, amid growing public anger over the handling of the health crisis. He will be sworn in on Saturday. He secured majority support, with the backing of 114 of parliament's 222 members, the palace said in a statement. His predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin quit Monday following a turbulent 17 months in office after losing parliamentary support, as anger grew over his government's handling of a worsening coronavirus outbreak. The incoming leader is from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the lynchpin of a coalition that governed for six decades until losing power in 2018 amid the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB graft scandal. UMNO had already regained a foothold in power as a partner in the last government, and Ismail Sabri's victory means they have now reclaimed the country's top job without elections. The king has said the new prime minister will have to face a confidence vote in parliament to prove his majority soon after his appointment. (With inputs from agencies)

Malaysia's king appoints Ismail Sabri Yaakob as new prime minister