Najib announced in a live broadcast at noon that the 13th Parliament will be dissolved tomorrow to pave way for the national polls. — Picture via Twiiter/ Abdul Rahman Dahlan

KUALA LUMPUR, April 6 — The battle for the 14th general election has officially begun.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced in a live broadcast at noon that the 13th Parliament will be dissolved tomorrow to pave way for the national polls.

“I had, this morning, an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, to seek and receive his consent for the dissolution of the 13th Parliament,” Najib said.

“This will go into effect on Saturday April 7, 2018. I have also advised the heads of state (governments) to dissolve their respective state assemblies simultaneously.”

Najib expressed the government's commitment to Malaysian's parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, which he said places the power in the hands of Malaysian voters.

Today's announcement brings an end to months of speculation of when the general election would be called.

The 13th Parliament has been one of the longest-lived in Malaysian history, with just 78 days left until its automatic dissolution on June 24.

Following tomorrow's dissolution, Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia will formally inform the Election Commission (EC) to commence with the poll.

The EC said earlier that it will not hold any press conference today, and is expected to call one only next week.

Barisan Nasional will launch its election manifesto tomorrow while the rival Pakatan Harapan has already done so.

BN won the 13th general election by taking 133 seats out of the 222 contested.