THE Umno supreme council’s decision in wanting to dissolve parliament disrespects the Federal Constitution and ignores the king’s power of discretion, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said today.

“It has never happened in the history of the country that an open statement regarding the dissolution of parliament was issued before the prime minister even appeared to get the approval of the king,” he said in a statement.

“Umno has only 38 MPs. The party cannot act as if it is the majority in parliament,” the Seremban MP said.

Last night, after meeting for two hours, Umno supreme council members agreed to hold snap polls once Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had met Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to dissolve the Dewan Rakyat.

“The dissolution of parliament will be made soon and the general election will be held this year. The prime minister will present the date of the dissolution to the king in the near future, in line with article 40 of the Federal Constitution,” Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said.

However, Loke said that among the king’s discretionary powers, article 40(2) says Al-Sultan Abdullah has the right not to consent.

He added that DAP will continue to respect the king’s decision, in line with the provisions of the Federal Constitution.

“DAP trusts that the king will exercise his discretion and wisdom to make the best decision for the interests of the people and the country,” he said.

The next parliamentary session starts on Monday until November 29, with Budget 2023 to be tabled on Friday, but it is widely expected that parliament will be dissolved as early as October 12.

“Parliament will be dissolved by the second week of October and polls will take place a month after that,” Barisan Nasional leaders, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Malaysian Insight. – October 1, 2022.