PERIKATAN Nasional ministers have sent an appeal to the Agong not to allow snap polls this year due to possible monsoon-related flooding in the country.

According to several news reports, the petition to the king was submitted on Monday.

Quoting a source, 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.

This morning, the king was briefed on the year-end flood situation by Environment and Water Ministry chief secretary Zaini Ujang and Meteorological Department director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah at the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre.

According to reports, the request for the brief was made by the palace. 

The king arrived at 10.30am and was received by Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali. – October 6, 2022.