Tok Mat leads war cry for GE15

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has started the ball rolling in calling for the general election to be held soon, saying that now is better than later.

Listing his reasons why national polls should be held soon, he said weaknesses among Umno’s political rivals should be taken advantage of.

He pointed out that PKR lost all its seats in the Melaka and Sarawak elections, and won only one seat in Johor,while DAP lost many seats in Melaka and Johor and almost all seats it contested in Sarawak.

“Perikatan Nasional on the other hand, relied heavily on PAS’ machinery and they are not a feared competitor. In Johor, we humbled them and they could only win three seats.

“Therefore, we should take advantage of our enemies’ weaknesses. Strike while the enemy is weak, strike while the iron is hot.

“This is the art of war and delaying the general election will only open the potential for an Opposition’s revival. Let’s not repeat our missteps of the 14th General Elections (GE14),” he said when opening the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings’ meeting last night.

Also present were Umno vice-presidents – Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin – as well as the chiefs of the three wings.

Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat, said the results of the Melaka, Sarawak and Johor polls should be an indication that the general election should be held now and “not next year”.

While the 15th general election must be held by July 2023, there have been loud calls within Umno for this to be held soon.

Mohamad said another reason why the general election should be called was because Barisan Nasional needed to return the mandate to choose a legitimate government to the people.

He pointed out that Barisan’s legitimacy as a government had been questioned because it did not gain this by winning an election.

“Malaysia has never been administered by a government that was not formed democratically through an election. For how long must we rely on the Confidence and Supply Agreement and memorandum of understanding to provide stability?

“Taking all these into consideration, Umno must take a stand on the need to hold the general election immediately,” he said.

Mohamad said although he was aware of those who were against calling for the elections, he questioned whether things would side with Barisan more, should the polls be delayed.

He also reminded the delegates that victories in Melaka and Johor should not be a source of pride because “Umno’s path towards full recovery is still far and winding”.

“The victories should not be a reason for us to thump our chests with pride. For me, it is a second chance given to Umno.

“So, do not waste the people’s trust that has been given to us. Becoming the strongest party, forming a stable government and leading Malaysia with record performances should be our new aspiration,” he said.

Mohamad said this general assembly should be a platform for the party to prepare for the polls and not party elections.

“It should not be about getting rid of certain individuals, not about distributing positions and rewards.

“Our real focus should be on winning the general election and getting Umno to become the government.”