PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob left Istana Negara after an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong this afternoon without addressing the media.

He waved to media representatives outside the palace’s gates when he made his departure at about 4.45pm.

Ismail earlier today said he was looking to submit the proposed date to dissolve parliament during his audience with the king.

He said this matter could be raised if discussions on issues pertaining to the cabinet are concluded sooner.

“Let’s see, if discussions go on until Maghrib (prayer time), it won’t be possible to discuss other matters,” Ismail said after checking the final preparations for Budget 2023 at the Finance Ministry in Putrajaya. 

Earlier today PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had earlier said that Perikatan Nasional (PN) ministers had sent a letter to the king objecting to a general election being held this year due to the forecast of a severe monsoon.

He said the letter was delivered to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong yesterday after a meeting of all the PN component parties.

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

Reports said that the cabinet is divided over when parliament should be dissolved.

Umno leaders have been pushing Ismail, who is also party vice-president, to seek an audience with the king to dissolve parliament. – October 6, 2022.