In Utusan Malaysia yesterday, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin reportedly told Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, who had speculated on the date of the next general election, to shut up.

Khairy, the premier’s son-in-law, said: "No one including political leaders should issue statements on the question (when general elections will be held) because it is (within) the absolute power of the prime minister. So, even I don't understand why the EC Chairman could issue statements as such, as it's not (within) his power."

The son-in-law should shut up too because he was dead wrong. Setting the election date is not within the power of prime minister. There are three steps in calling a general election in a constitutional monarchy like ours.