PM Najib dissolves parliament – Thai PBS English News

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Friday (April 6) announced the dissolution of the parliament effective on Saturday, paving the way for the 14th general election.

The announcement was made around noon after Najib’s audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mohammad V at Istana Negara, according to The New Straits Times.

Dissolution effectively ends the tenure of members of the parliament, leaving the country to be administered by a caretaker government until the next parliament is convened.

Barisan Nasional-controlled states are expected to dissolve their respective assemblies either Friday or Saturday with the exception of Sarawak which held its state election last year.

Three other opposition-ruled states of Selangor, Keletan and Penang are expected to follow suit.  

This will be Barisan Nasional’s second general election under the leadership of Najib who became prime minister in April 2009.

The Election Commission is expected to announce the dates for nomination and polling by next week.

Election is expected to take place in early May with 14.9 million Malaysians eligible to vote.

A total of 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state seats are up for grabs.