ISMAIL Sabri Yaakob must accept responsibility for triggering the 15th general election that could coincide with the year-end monsoon season, said Muhyiddin Yassin. 

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman said it was irresponsible on the part of the caretaker prime minister to blame him and PN ministers for the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat. 

“I think it is very irresponsible of him to put the blame on me and members of the cabinet for what is happening now just because they are facing attacks from the public at large over why the election is being held now in the midst of this flooding.

“He cannot say he was forced by anyone because we tried our best to say it is not a good idea to have elections now. We are voicing the people’s concerns; who wants to have an election during the floods?” he was quoted as telling reporters in Sabah tonight.

He made his comments after a meeting with Sabah Chief Minister and state Bersatu chairman Hajiji Mohd Noor. 

Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, said the argument on the matter is now moot as the king has dissolved parliament. 

Earlier today, Ismail blamed predecessor Muhyiddin and 12 PN ministers for making the government untenable, forcing Ismail to dissolve parliament. 

Ismail said it was clear in his announcement that the dissolution was to clear the air on his government’s legitimacy and that it is not a backdoor government, so he had to return the mandate to the people.

“The decision was due to the 12 PN ministers writing to the Agong, advising him against holding the elections this year.

“It was also due to Muhyiddin’s declaration that Barisan Nasional (BN) is PN’s enemy at the polls,” he said in a statement. 

Yesterday, after consulting with the Agong, Ismail had announced the dissolution of parliament. 

He said the Agong had given his assent, though the latest parliamentary term was set to end in July. 

On the same day, Istana Negara issued a statement saying the Agong was left with no choice but to accept Ismail’s request to dissolve the Dewan Rakyat. 

Royal Comptroller Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the king was disappointed with the current political situation, but felt the people should decide. 

“After meeting the prime minister and after looking into his request, the king, with powers stipulated under the Federal Constitution, gave his royal assent to dissolve parliament.

“His Majesty made it clear that he had no other option but to accept the request to allow the mandate to be returned to the people,” the palace said in a statement. – October 11, 2022.