PM had lost support of Umno’s allies, says Ahmad Maslan

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob was forced to dissolve Parliament today as he had lost the support of Umno’s allies in the government, says Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan.

“Umno’s position is that a dissolution of Parliament is the best step (forward) since representatives from the parties that form the government no longer show solidarity with the prime minister in his administration,” he said.

“They have even declared Umno and Barisan Nasional as their enemies, showing a loss of trust and respect for Umno in leading the country,” he said during a press conference at the party’s headquarters here.

He added that the Umno Supreme Council meeting today had discussed preparations by the party’s machinery to face the 15th general election (GE15).

Election dates are to be set by the Election Commission, but Ahmad said Umno had recommended that the elections be held before mid-November to avoid the coming monsoon season.

Umno’s general assembly, slated to be held on Nov 23-26 will be moved to a new date, Ahmad said.

Ahmad’s remark about “enemies” was a reference to a statement last month by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin that his party’s main enemy in GE15 is Barisan Nasional.

He said Perikatan Nasional need not be afraid about facing off against BN. However, PN component member PAS distanced itself from Muhyiddin’s remarks.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the party rejects the labelling of any Malay-Muslim grouping as being “the main enemy” especially when it involves those who are part of the government.