Umno and BN prefer GE16 to be held before the current parliamentary term ends, but are prepared to contest whenever the election is called, says Zahid.
PETALING JAYA: Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) would prefer the 16th general election (GE16) to be held before the current parliamentary term ends, said BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid, who is also Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister, said an earlier election would give the government an opportunity to seek a fresh mandate from the people.
However, he stressed that Umno and BN were prepared to contest the election whenever it was called, including if the current parliamentary term was allowed to run its full five-year duration.
“Personally, I feel it would be better if the general election were held earlier so that we can seek a fresh mandate from the people.
“But if the current term runs until its full duration, we are also prepared to face the election,” he said in an exclusive interview with Media Prima Berhad (MPB).
Zahid said Umno and BN would use the remaining period to further strengthen their preparations for GE16.
He said such preparations were necessary to ensure the party and coalition remained relevant amid changes in Malaysia’s political landscape, particularly as regional and global geopolitical dynamics continued to evolve.
Zahid had previously indicated in July that the timing of GE16 could take into account the expiry of the current parliamentary term, particularly if there were significant changes in the geopolitical environment.
He also said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as head of the parliamentary council, would consult political parties on whether the election should be called before the current term expires.
At the time, however, Zahid said he had yet to discuss GE16 with Anwar, pointing to the complexity of the unity government, which comprises 18 parties from at least five political coalitions.
“In my view, if the geopolitical situation changes, the expiry of the parliamentary term will certainly be taken into consideration by the prime minister, as head of the parliamentary council, when holding consultations with us,” he said in July.
The current 15th Parliament is expected to complete its five-year term around December next year.
