PETALING JAYA: The letter by Perikatan Nasional Cabinet ministers to the King had undermined the Prime Minister and the dissolution of Parliament was necessary to prevent disharmony in the government's administration, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The Prime Minister said the 12 Perikatan ministers had acted unwisely by writing to the King.
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"Therefore, this dissolution is to prevent disharmony from being triggered in the government administration.
"The action of these ministers had clearly undermined the office of the prime minister, where the appointment was consented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Their actions had also undermined the spirit of solidarity in the government administration."
Ismail Sabri also said there were Cabinet ministers who had openly criticised the government's decisions and policies.
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"In fact, a remark by Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin which declared that the main enemy of Perikatan was Barisan Nasional had sowed division, despite his party being a part of the present government.
"Muhyiddin, as the chairman of the National Recovery Council, had made a statement urging the dissolution of Parliament by claiming that the government failed in managing the country and its economy," added Ismail Sabri.
Ismail Sabri said a government can only function smoothly with togetherness.
"The country needs a stable government to weather the challenges ahead," said Ismail Sabri.
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Ismail Sabri was commenting on the statement by the Istana Negara on Oct 11, which stated that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was disappointed over the current political developments.
"As mentioned in my special address yesterday (Oct 10), the dissolution of Parliament was to silence voices that question the legitimacy of the government, claiming that it’s a backdoor government," added Ismail Sabri.
On Oct 6, it was revealed that 12 Cabinet ministers of Bersatu and PAS had sent a letter to the King dated Oct 3 to state that they were against the general election being held this year.
The letter stated reasons such as the Meteorological Department’s forecast of a severe monsoon and to allow the nation’s economy to recover.
Perikatan had repeatedly stated they disagreed with holding the polls during the flood season.
PAS had also decided that all three state assemblies under its administration would not be dissolved until the monsoon was over in March next year.
