THE federal government is still legitimate with support from a majority of the members of parliament, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, after 12 ministers petitioned the King not to dissolve parliament.

He said the letter sent by Perikatan Nasional (PN) ministers to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong only asked for a postponement of the dissolution of parliament and does not affect the legitimacy of the current administration, he said.

“If the MPs are still supporting the government, there’s no such thing as it failing.

“As for the dissolution of parliament, please wait for the announcement.

“Like I said (before), there are speculations (on the next general elections),” he told reporters today after attending the national-level Maulidur Rasul celebration held at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre today.

On Friday, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan claimed the federal government had lost “40% of its legitimacy” after PN ministers sent a letter to the king to object to a general election during the year-end monsoon season.

He described PN petitioning the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as akin to breaking ranks with the government as such issues are supposed to be resolved within the cabinet.

“Only the prime minister has the right to advise and give his recommendations to the king.

“With the PN ministers supporting the move in the letter, the current government has lost about 40% of its legitimacy to lead,” Ahmad was quoted as saying after officiating at the Umno Pontian division Puteri wing meeting.

On Thursday, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man confirmed that PN ministers had sent a letter to the Agong stating their concerns about the monsoon season should a general election is held this year.

The letter was signed by 12 ministers from Bersatu and PAS.

PN is helmed by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin and counts Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan and the Sabah-based Parti Progresif Sabah and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku among its ranks.

Both PN and Barisan Nasional are in a slippery alliance to govern Malaysia following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government in February 2020.

Umno leaders have been putting pressure on Ismail, who is party vice-president, to seek an audience with the king to hasten the dissolution of parliament.

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

The current parliament session expires in July next year. – October 9, 2022.