Malaysia PM Najib Razak expected to call election on Friday
Najib Razak must fend off an unprecedented challenge from his old mentor, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is expected to announce the dissolution of parliament on Friday, a government minister said, paving way for what is expected to be the toughest ever general election for his long-ruling coalition.
Najib is under pressure to secure a strong mandate as he grapples with a multibillion dollar scandal at a state fund and public anger over rising living costs.
To do so, he must fend off an unprecedented challenge from his old mentor, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.
The prime minister is likely to dissolve parliament on Friday after he chairs a weekly cabinet meeting, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, the minister in charge of the economic planning unit, said on Tuesday.
“I think it’s Friday, probably … traditionally we’ll have our manifesto launch after parliament dissolution, so the manifesto is going to be launched this Saturday,” he said.
The dissolution of parliament paves the way for a general election. The date of the vote will be announced by the Election Commission after the dissolution of parliament.
