Malaysia PM calls snap elections

Malaysia's prime minister yesterday dissolved parliament to clear the way for snap elections in a bid to restore political stability as the country emerges from the ravages of Covid-19 and a multi-billion dollar corruption scandal.

Elections could be held within weeks, mostly likely in November, following Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's announcement, analysts said.

Polls were not due until September next year but Ismail faced intense pressure from within his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party to dissolve parliament and secure a strong mandate in early elections.

"Yesterday I met the king ... and I sought his permission to dissolve the parliament. And the king agreed to my request to dissolve parliament today," Ismail said in a televised address following his audience with Sultan Abdullah.

The palace said the king "expressed displeasure with the current political developments" and had no choice but to agree to the prime minister's request for early polls for the people "to vote for a stable government".

The election commission will announce the polling date likely in the next few days. Parliament's dissolution came days after the government unveiled a populist budget that included a cut in personal income taxes.