KUALA LUMPUR: Refuting claims that he was being inconsistent regarding the date of the 15th general election (GE15), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Yaakob (pic) said today that Parliament’s dissolution is the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Although he has been given the mandate as prime minister to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on matters regarding the dissolution of Parliament, Ismail Sabri pointed out that if His Majesty disagrees with any of the dates proposed, he can reject it.
“This ‘flip flop’ statement is probably good so that they (DAP) won’t know when I intend to hold GE15. If you look at statements from previous prime ministers, did they set the election dates? If you had asked (Tun) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) then, he would answer by saying he has yet to get any inspiration.
“As such, I cannot give a specific date, and (even) if I do, I would be pre-empting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, (and) this would be against the Constitution. DAP, perhaps, has the attitude of not respecting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong but I do and I abide by the Constitution,” he told reporters after officiating at the World Environment Day celebration at Taman Tugu here today.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook recently criticised the prime minister for allegedly being ‘inconsistent’ when it comes to the date of GE15.