Saarani, who was granted an audience with the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, earlier today, confirmed that the meeting was to seek the ruler’s consent to dissolve the state assembly in line with the dissolution of Parliament on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after the audience, Saarani said the sultan would grant him another audience after he has made a decision.

“The power to dissolve the state legislative assembly lies solely in the hands of the ruler.

“After His Highness has made a decision, he will grant me an audience.”

Saarani, the Perak Umno chief, added that the state government and state legislative assembly would continue to function as usual.

Perak has 59 state seats, of which 25 are held by Barisan Nasional (BN). DAP has 15 seats, followed by Amanah (five), Bersatu (four), PAS (three), PKR (three), PBM (three) and independent (one).

When announcing the dissolution of Parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob urged various state governments to dissolve their legislative assemblies as well.

Ismail, who is currently heading the caretaker government, said the state polls should be held concurrently with the parliamentary elections as it would smoothen the democratic process, save costs and prevent burdening the people with another election next year.

However, Ismail said Sabah, Sarawak, Melaka and Johor do not have to dissolve their state assemblies.

Sabah held a snap state election in September 2020, and Melaka and Sarawak carried out theirs in November and December 2021, respectively. Johor had a state election last March.

Previously, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that BN-led states would dissolve their legislative assemblies simultaneously with the dissolution of Parliament to make way for GE15.

Aside from Johor and Melaka, BN currently controls three states, namely Perlis, Pahang and Perak. Sabah is led by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah which comprises Perikatan Nasional (PN), BN and PBS.