PERIKATAN Nasional’s (PN) ministers have been instructed by its chairman, Muhyiddin Yassin, to disagree on holding the general election this year in cabinet meetings.

The instruction also went out to PN lawmakers, Muhyiddin said in a statement.

“PN is of the opinion that it is not reasonable to hold the 15th general election this year seeing as the northeast monsoon will start soon, with floods expected to affect the country, especially in the east coast states,” he said.

“Holding elections during the monsoon season will certainly affect the election process and make things difficult for the rakyat.

“Members of the cabinet from PN have been asked to stress this stand in cabinet meetings. All PN MPs have also been asked to take the same stand.”

The former prime minister said the government should be focusing on preparing for the monsoon on top of accelerating the country’s post-pandemic recovery, instead of thinking about the general election.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he has been granted an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Thursday.

Ismail, however, refused to confirm whether he would present a date for the dissolution of parliament.

“Some people say (parliament dissolution will be done) before the (tabling of 2023) Budget, some say after the budget announcement on Monday.

“Others say this month or November and even next year,” he said.

The Umno supreme council declared on Friday that the general election should be held this year and that Ismail will propose a date on when to dissolve parliament to the king soon. – October 4, 2022.