KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s 16th general election (GE16) could be held as early as December 2026, potentially alongside several state polls, a move that could reduce costs and streamline election management.
The Madani government’s mandate runs until November 2027, while the next general election must be held by February 2028.
Associate Professor Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk said the federal government may consider aligning the general election with upcoming state elections in Melaka, Johor, and Sarawak.
He added that the recent appointment of Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz as senior political adviser to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim could also reflect broader political positioning ahead of the next national polls.
“One of the reasons the 16th general election could be held earlier is that Melaka is due for its state election by December 2026, while Johor and Sarawak must hold theirs by April 2027,” he said.
“From an efficiency and cost-saving perspective, it may make sense to hold them together.”
Last December, former Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said holding the Johor and Melaka state elections and the general election simultaneously could save the government up to RM200 million.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) Johor chairman Aminolhuda Hassan yesterday suggested that the Johor state election and the 16th General Election be held simultaneously.
However, Sarawak may still opt to hold its election earlier to avoid national political issues overshadowing local concerns.
Historically, Sarawak has preferred to hold its elections separately from federal polls. While the 1969 and 1974 state elections were held concurrently with the Malaysian general election, the state has conducted its elections independently since 1979.
Azeem said Tengku Zafrul’s new role could also be part of a political strategy ahead of GE16.
“I think it is part and parcel of a possible re-strategising by the prime minister,” he said.
“As we know, all is not well within PKR itself – there are tensions between the prime minister and others within the party as well.”
Last May, Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (Economy) and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability) quit their government posts after losing the PKR party elections.
Eight other PKR MPs – Wong Chen (Subang), Rodziah Ismail (Ampang), Lee Chean Chung (Petaling Jaya), S. Kesavan (Sungai Siput), Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju), Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau), Onn Abu Bakar (Batu Pahat), and Hassan Karim (Pasir Gudang) – are aligned with Rafizi’s camp.
Tengku Zafrul previously served as Investment, Trade and Industry minister, but his term as a senator came to an end and he could not be reappointed.
“This is probably one way of rewarding him,” Azeem said.
“But I also think this may be a way to get him acclimatised to PKR. He is a new PKR member, and this could give him a chance to manoeuvre within the party and eventually secure a position there.”
He said the move could also pave the way for Tengku Zafrul to contest a parliamentary seat in the next polls.
“Ampang has been mentioned as a possible seat for GE16. This is probably what will happen. This is just a way to familiarise him with the party and get him on board, and eventually he will probably be given a seat to contest.”
Azeem also dismissed claims that Tengku Zafrul’s move amounted to party-hopping, noting that he is not an elected representative.
Tengku Zafrul quit Umno in May 2025 and joined PKR three months later.
“You cannot say it is party-hopping, because he is not an elected official or a Member of Parliament,” he said.
“He was not a major player in Umno, even though he was voted the Selangor treasurer in 2023. He left the position a year later and appeared to lose influence within the party.”
While acknowledging Tengku Zafrul’s credentials as a technocrat, Azeem said he still needed to establish himself politically.
“He may be a technocrat, but politically he is still relatively lightweight,” he said.
“He probably needs to be seen as the president’s man so that he can get the support he needs. Whether he gets it or not remains to be seen, but ultimately he will probably be given a seat to contest.”
