Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is predicted to announce the dissolution of parliament on Friday, a cupboard minister said, paving the way in which for the toughest-ever general election for his long-ruling coalition.
Najib is under pressure to secure a robust mandate as he grapples with a multibillion-dollar sovereign wealth scandal and public anger over the rising cost of living.
To do that, he must face an unprecedented challenge from his old mentor, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
The prime minister is more likely to dissolve parliament on Friday after chairing the weekly cabinet meeting, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, the minister accountable for the economic planning unit, said on Tuesday.
“I believe it’s Friday, probably… traditionally the announcement of our manifesto shall be after the dissolution of parliament, so the manifesto shall be announced next Saturday,” he said.
The dissolution of parliament opens the method to general elections. The date of voting shall be announced by the Electoral Commission after the dissolution of parliament.
Times of recent straits The newspaper, citing unidentified sources, reports that preparations are underway for Najib to announce elections after Friday prayers this week.
Najib’s United Malay National Organization party has led every multi-ethnic coalition since Malaysia emerged from British colonial rule in 1957.
Najib narrowly won the last election in 2013 after losing the favored vote to an opposition bloc led by 92-year-old Mahathir.
Mahathir has turn out to be Najib’s fiercest critic over his handling of the scandal over losses at state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Najib has denied making a guilty plea.
General elections have to be held by August.
The opposition complains that the most recent two steps, backed by the federal government, will increase Najib’s election probabilities.
Last week, parliament approved a plan to redraw constituency boundaries for greater than a 3rd of its seats, a move critics say will help Najib.
This article appeared within the print edition of the South China Morning Post as: Najib gave the tip to call a general election on Friday
