“Alhamdulillah (Thank God),” Asyraf said in the post, leading to questions from social media users if this meant that the next general election (GE15) would be held soon.

Earlier today, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah granted Ismail an audience amid speculation the latter would raise the issue of the dissolution of Parliament, paving the way for GE15.

Ismail reportedly said he will present the proposed date for the dissolution of Parliament during his audience with the King today, but only “if time permits”.

Meanwhile, Malaysiakini reported the Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin as saying Ismail’s audience with the King was just a pre-Cabinet briefing and that the date for the dissolution of Parliament was not discussed.

Opposition lawmakers and those from Perikatan Nasional (PN) have opposed holding GE15 this year, citing the possibility of floods during the northeast monsoon season, expected from mid-November to March 2023.

However, Umno has repeatedly stressed that GE15 must be held this year.