TAPAH, Oct 17 — Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad today announced that state ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah has given the consent to dissolve the state assembly.

Saarani said that the dissolution of the state assembly is effective from today, paving the way for the 15th general election.

"Previously, I have submitted the application for the dissolution of the 14th State Legislative Assembly of Perak for the consideration of the Sultan in accordance with Article 32(2)," he told a press conference, referring to the state constitution.

"The Sultan decrees that any decision on the application for the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly will be announced after His Majesty agrees to make a decision.

"It is my pleasure to inform the media today that I have received a declaration letter from the Sultan to dissolve the state assembly effecting from October 17."

Last week, Saarani presented his request to the sultan to dissolve the state assembly, heeding the call made by Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition to seek a dissolution of state assemblies to synchronise the state and national elections.

Although the matter was acknowledged by the Sultan, no decision was made during Saarani’s audience with the Sultan at the Istana Kinta in Ipoh.

Perak has 59 state seats, of which 25 are held by BN followed by DAP (15), Parti Amanah Negara (five), Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (four), PAS (three), PKR (three), Parti Bangsa Malaysia (three), and independent (one).