'Flip-flop' PM? Ismail argues does not want overstep the King’s authority for GE15 date

SHAH ALAM - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says he does not have any intentions to overstep the King’s authority by announcing the 15th General Election’s (GE15) date, stating that Parliament's dissolution is the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

This comes after a comment made by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook saying that the Prime Minister was being ‘flip-flop’ in announcing the date for the polls.

Replying to the comment, he said it was natural for any Prime Minister to make every party question the exact date of the general election as well as to first consult the matter with the party and the cabinet before coming up with the decision.

Adding to that, he said he shall abide by the authority of the King and not precede him in the matter of the dissolution of Parliament.

"There is not one prime minister who has openly announced the date of elections.

"Even (former prime minister Tun) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) had in the past said 'belum dapat ilham' (yet to get any inspiration) when asked about it.

“It is better to be ‘flip-flop’ so that the people will not know when the election will be called,” he told reporters after officiating the World Environment Day event at Taman Tugu here this morning.

He also added that any matter involving the general election will be discussed beforehand with both the Umno and Barisan Nasional top echelons, including the Cabinet.

“I have said this before that the Cabinet will be giving me the mandate to seek an audience with the King and advise him but the final decision will be made by him.

“The King will decide whether the date (general election) is approved or not in accordance with the Federal Constitution. Hence why I can’t provide the exact date because that means I will be overstepping him,” he said.

Previously, Anthony Loke has accused Ismail Sabri for being inconsistent with the date of GE15 by claiming that the prime minister will cause incessant political instability and will further deteriorate the economic situation of the country.

Loke also claimed that Ismail Sabri had a different opinion during BN’s convention when he said the GE15 would not be delayed even for a second compared to what he told Nikkei Asia in a Tokyo interview last month in which he downplayed an early election as it is not the right time due to rising inflation of the country.

Malaysia is not due for elections until September 2023.