Zahid Wants PM Anwar To Call GE16 As UMNO Weighs Possible Cooperation With PAS

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Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for the next Malaysian general election to be held earlier than required, saying it would be "better" for GE16 to take place before the federal government's current term expires

The UMNO president said BN must prepare for the next nationwide polls by addressing voters' concerns and ensuring the coalition remains politically relevant, Berita Harian reported.

"In my view, it would be better for GE16 to be held earlier," he was quoted as saying.

The current parliamentary term is due to end in December 2027. Parliament must be dissolved before a general election, which must then be held within 60 days.

If the government serves its full term, GE16 could be held as late as February 2028.

Zahid's comments put an early election firmly on the political agenda, even as BN remains a key component of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's unity government together with Pakatan Harapan (PH).

UMNO weighing its options: PH, PAS, or going solo

BN backed Anwar, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, to form the federal government after the 2022 general election (GE15) produced a hung Parliament.

But Zahid said BN has not decided who it would work with in the next election, adding that it must weigh the political benefits and costs of different alliances.

"We were willing to go solo in the Johor state election because of the political landscape there, but in Negeri Sembilan, we felt forming an alliance would be more beneficial.

"We have to consider the pros and cons of different potential allies. We want to see the political profit and loss account, whether we would be in the black or in the red.

"Political gains are what we are calculating in determining negotiations," he said.

The comments leave open the possibility of BN continuing its cooperation with PH, forming an alliance with the PAS-led Perikatan Nasional (PN), or contesting GE16 without a major coalition partner.

UMNO grassroots pushing for Malay unity

Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said UMNO's grassroots were pushing for greater Malay political unity, pointing towards cooperation with PAS as one possible priority.

"Therefore, we make that a priority in (pursuing alliances)," he said.

He added, however, that Malaysia's diversity would remain a consideration as UMNO navigates the country's increasingly complex political landscape.

"But we must also acknowledge that our nation's diversity must be our foundation as we navigate the increasingly complex political landscape," he said.