Parliament dissolved, bring on GE13!
PM Najib promises that if a transition of power occurs, it will be peaceful
Prime Minister Najib Razak has announced the dissolution of Parliament.
In a 15-minute televised announcement today, the Prime Minister said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Wednesday gave his consent to the dissolution of Parliament, paving the way for the 13th General Elections.
Flanked by deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and accompanied by his full Cabinet, Najib requested as state chief ministers and menteri besar to seek permission from their respective state heads to dissolve their state assemblies.
"Four years ago, today,I took the oath to take on the responsibility of Prime Minister. In this time, I have, along with my cabinet ministers, carried out transformation our transformation efforts through the National Transformation Programme.
"Our government is a responsible government, that keeps the interest of the people above all else. We keep our promise. When we are given the trust, we preserve it," he said.
"Jika berlaku peralihan kuasa ia perlu berlangsung secara aman & tertib. Inilah iltizam kita menjunjung prinsip demokrasi." #PRU13
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) April 3, 2013
Najib thanked Malaysians for their faith in BN and said the ruling coalition will go to 'every corner' of the country to explain to the people why they should be given the chance to continue leading the nation.
However, he also promised that if there was a change of power, be it at state or federal level, the transition would be both smooth and peaceful.
"That is our commitment to democracy," he said.
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Today marks exactly four years since Najib took his oath to become the nation's sixth prime minister.
The media has gone into overdrive in the past few hours, detailing Najib's arrival at the Palace to have his audience with the King at 8.45am.
“Saya menasihatkan para MB & Ketua Menteri supaya menghadap Ketua Negeri masing-masing bagi mendapat perkenan pembubaran DUN.” #PRU13
— Mohd Najib Tun Razak (@NajibRazak) April 3, 2013
Yesterday, government-backed newspapers front-paged the possible dissolution of parliament today, setting off frenzied speculation on the possible dates for polling.
This will be Najib's first attempt to seek a mandate since taking over from ex-PM Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who led Barisan Nasional to their worst ever polls performance in March 2008.
In those elections, Pakatan Rakyat gave BN a bloody nose, denying them their two-thirds Parliament majority as well as wresting control of four states (while retaining the PAS stronghold of Kelantan).
Five years on, the effect of Najib's transformation plans will be put to the test in what is going to be the most tightly contested elections in Malaysian history.
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