Najib meets Agong: Rumor mill adds to guessing game on Malaysian elections
Did the government leaders meet with the Malaysian Yang di-Pertuan Agong during the weekend?
The Agong is the monarch and head of state of Malaysia.
A ‘Breaking News’ tag on WhatsApp in Malaysia is saying the dissolution of the Parliament is set for 22nd February.
It says that elections are set for March 24, which is a Saturday.
The report also says the nomination day will be on March 13th, which is a Tuesday.
“Prime Minister Najib Razak, the deputy PM Zahid Hamidi and the Speaker of the Parliament had an audience with the Agong this morning,” said the message yesterday.
The election date is a prerogative of the Prime Minister, who however has to seek the approval of the Agong. It is a secret date that only the PM is aware of.
It is necessary for the PM to meet with the Agong after he decides on the elections date.
Since it is his prerogative, it is certainly not necessary for him to bring his deputy to the audience with the Agong, WFTV was told.
However, with the opening of the 2018 Parliamentary session set from March 5-April 5, the rumours remain!
The rumor mill says the ruling BN will push the Election Commission’s redrawing of constituency borders through the Parliament.
However it will not be possible for March elections, unless the delineation is voted with speed.
According to a veteran lawyer in Malaysia, the government will have to pass the delineation through the Parliament if it wants to implement it.
“They will need a simple majority to do that,” says the lawyer.
In the opinion of DAP’s Ipoh Timor MP, Thomas Su the dates (Parliament seating) means elections will be after March.
The MP said this indicates that Najib wants the delineation implemented before the elections.
“GE14 is likely to be in April or May (before Hari Raya).
“Or possibly after Hari Raya, that is July,” Su says in a Facebook post.