The date to dissolve Parliament was not discussed during Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today.

This was confirmed by a well-placed source in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and was supported by information Malaysiakini gathered from the palace.

When asked whether the date of dissolution was discussed with the king, the PMO source replied briefly: “It was not discussed.”

Meanwhile, Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin told Malaysiakini that today’s audience was just a pre-cabinet briefing.

“Today was just a pre-cabinet meeting, a weekly meeting,” he said when contacted.

While saying he was not privy to every detail of what was discussed, Fadil also said the palace has not received any instruction in regard to the dissolution of Parliament.

“His Majesty did not decree to make any statement,” he said, adding that this would likely mean the government will proceed with business as usual and table Budget 2023 tomorrow.

Ismail Sabri earlier said he would discuss the matter with the king if there was time to do so.

Umno resolved last Friday that the next general election must be held this year and that the prime minister will propose dates to the Agong soon.

Speculation was rife that Ismail Sabri would dissolve Parliament before the national budget is tabled tomorrow.

The prime minister is now at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, where he is expected to meet with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other party leaders.

In a Facebook post later, the Palace said today’s audience was just a “routine” weekly pre-cabinet meeting.

Earlier this morning, the Agong visited the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre to get a briefing on the year-end flood and weather situation.

Environment and Water Ministry chief secretary Zaini Ujang yesterday shared data that showed most of Peninsular Malaysia will experience peak rainfall in November, while the East Coast will experience peak rainfall in December.

Experts expect the year-end flooding to be worse than last year due to climate change.

This led to severe criticism of Umno’s push to have elections soon.

The term of the current Parliament only expires in July next year.

However, the cabinet may legally advise the Agong to dissolve Parliament sooner.

However, the law also allows for the Agong to withhold consent to the dissolution request.

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