KUALA LUMPUR: The battle for the 15th general election (GE15) has officially begun with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today announcing the dissolution of Parliament.
In a special address today, Ismail Sabri said the dissolution will take effect imediately.
With this, the country would have to go to the polls not more than 60 days from today.
Ismail Sabri said the reason for today's dissolution was to put to rest all claims regarding the legitimacy of the current government.
"In line with Article 40(2)(b) and Article 55(2) of the Federal Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today has consented to my request for the 14th Parliament to be dissolved today, October 10, 2022.
"This dissolution is done to put a stop to those questioning the legitimacy of the government, claiming that it is a backdoor government," he said.
Ismail Sabri said the dates for the polling day, early voting and nomination day would be announced at a later date by the Election Commission (EC).
He also called on all states, aside from Sabah, Sarawak, Melaka and Johor, to dissolve their respective state legislative assemblies so that a nationwide general election could be held on the same date.
This is despite the announcements made by several state governments which said they would not dissolve their state assemblies to coincide with GE15.
"It is only appropriate for the elections to be held at the same time so that the public will not be burdened, and also to ensure a smooth democratic process and to save cost.
"With this announcement, the mandate will be returned to the people.
"The people's mandate is the best medicine for the country to express its political stability and create a strong and stable government post-GE15.
"It is hoped that the people will use the power they have to choose a government that is able to continue the implementation of the 2023 Budget, maintain political stability, recover and strengthen the economy, as well as maintain the harmony and unity of the multiracial Malaysian Family."
Today's dissolution came months after calls for the GE15 to be expedited was made, although the term for the 14th Parliament would end only on June 23.
The country's largest party, Umno, has been calling for an early GE15 claiming that it is needed to ensure political and economic stability in the country.
The latest date for the country to go to the ballot boxes would now be on Dec 9, during the northeast monsoon period when massive floods are expected.
The monsoon, however, are expected to begin mid next month and should the EC decide to hold GE15 earlier, polls during floods could be avoided.
In the last general election, Pakatan Harapan made history, wresting the country from Barisan Nasional for the first time since independence.
However, after a series of party-hopping and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia exiting the coaltion, the PH government collapsed, paving the way for Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to form the next government, together with Pas and BN.
After a year, the PN government too fell and this led to the establishment of the Keluarga Malaysia administration under Ismail Sabri's leadership.