KLUANG: DAP has rejected calls for an early dissolution of Parliament, saying Anwar’s government still has the backing of a majority of MPs.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the power to dissolve Parliament rests with the prime minister, in accordance with the Federal Constitution.
“As long as the prime minister has majority support in the Dewan Rakyat, there is no reason to bow to any pressure.
“Of course, we know there will be pressure for the prime minister to dissolve Parliament.
“However, I reiterate that, first and foremost, the power to do so is the prime minister’s prerogative.
“The prime minister will, of course, consider when to call an election, subject to the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. So, I believe the government still has another year left in its mandate,” he said at a press conference after opening the DAP Johor annual convention.
Loke said DAP’s position within PH was clear; it wanted the prime minister to use the remaining year to implement the reform agenda.
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This included amendments to the Federal Constitution and the drafting of new laws to strengthen governance and the country’s financial management.
“The prime minister should focus on carrying out this work rather than bowing to any pressure to dissolve Parliament,” he said.
Also present was DAP vice-chairman Teo Nie Ching.
Recently, Umno outlined four options for the party, including the possibility of dissolving Parliament, following DAP’s dissatisfaction over the conditional pardon of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Azalina Othman Said was reported as saying that the possible courses of action were seeking mediation through a Consultative Council, allowing the existing arrangement to continue, reviewing Paragraph C of the Coalition Agreement, or ending political cooperation through the dissolution of Parliament.