PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will address the nation at 3pm, when he is expected to announce the dissolution of parliament, paving the way for the expected general election, according to messages posted on his official social media accounts.

Ismail was reported to have met Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah yesterday afternoon to request royal assent, shortly before the king left for a weeklong visit to the United Kingdom.

Umno leaders and supreme councillors are also expected to hold a closed-door meeting tonight.

President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for an early election to be held this year, a move opposed by the Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan coalitions.

Some 12 PN ministers have also sent a petition to the palace to object to holding a general election this year due to forecasts of a severe monsoon season.

The current parliamentary term expires in July. – October 10, 2022.