TAPAH: The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah has consented to the dissolution of the 14th Perak State Legislative Assembly, effective immediately.
This was announced by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad in a press conference at Batang Padang District and Land Office here, today.
"On Wednesday, I submitted a letter requesting the dissolution of the state assembly for Sultan Perak's consideration, in accordance with Clause 32(2) of the Perak Constitution.
"Any decision on the dissolution of the state assembly would only be announced by the Sultan after he made his decision.
"As such, I am glad to announce that the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah has consented to dissolve the state assembly, effective today," said the Perak Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman.
Perak is the third state to dissolve its state assembly after Pahang and Perlis to make way for GE15. BN also controls Johor and Melaka.
The Pakatan Harapan-controlled states of Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan will not dissolve their state assemblies, while Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has been reported as saying state elections in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah will not be held this year.
It was reported on Wednesday that Saarani had sought an audience with the Sultan of Perak and he submitted a letter requesting the dissolution of the state assembly for Sultan Nazrin's consideration.
The meeting held at Istana Kinta in Ipoh lasted two-hours.
On Friday, Saarani was summoned by Sultan Perak to Istana Kinta once again. The meeting lasted for about half an hour.
Last Monday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob dissolved the Dewan Rakyat to pave the way for the 15th General Election (GE15).
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah consented to the dissolution as per Article 40(2)(b) and Article 55(2) of the Federal Constitution.
Perak has 59 state seats, 25 of which are held by BN, 15 by DAP, five by Parti Amanah Negara, four by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, three by Pas, three by PKR and one an independent.
Asked about Perak's BN machinery preparations for GE15, Saarani said the party has been preparing since its loss in the previous general election.
"Perak BN has been making preparations since we lost in 2018. We are preparing until we reach the maximum level.
"We are always prepared and as of now, we are scrutinising the candidate list," he said adding that he is convinced that BN would win big in GE15.
Saarani was appointed as the 14th menteri besar on Dec 9, 2020, days after a series of events led to a political impasse in the state leadership.
The appointment of the new menteri besar was made after Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu resigned when he lost a vote of confidence in the State Assembly on Dec 4, 2020.
Ahmad Faizal saw only 10 out of the 59 assemblymen backing him, with 48 opposing the motion, and one abstaining.