PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has confirmed that Perikatan Nasional (PN) ministers sent a letter to the king objecting to holding a general election this year due to a severe forecasted monsoon.

In confirming news reports, he said the letter was delivered to the king yesterday after a meeting of all PN components. 

“Yes, we sent the letter last night to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. 

“We have yet to receive a reply to that as of now,” said the environment and water minister during a press conference. 

Earlier, he had attended a briefing for the king on national preparedness for the possible ensuing floods during the monsoon at the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre today. 

Today, news reports said PN ministers had sent an appeal to the Agong not to allow snap polls this year due to possible monsoon-related flooding in the country.

Quoting sources, the reports said the cabinet is divided over when parliament should be dissolved. 

On the other hand, Umno leaders have been pushing Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also party vice-president, to seek an audience with the king over the dissolution.

Opposition parties however have objected to Umno’s proposal, saying elections can be appropriately conducted next year.

The current Dewan Rakyat session expires in July. – October 6, 2022.