KUALA LUMPUR: With the opposition in disarray, Umno believes that now is the best time to hold the 15th General Election (GE15), says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
However, Mohamad said any decision on the matter would be totally up to the Prime Minister, as only he can advise the King on the dissolution of Parliament.
The Umno deputy president said he had presented the party’s position in a report at the last Umno general assembly.
“As far as the party is concerned, now is the best time. The window is now. That is the party’s position,” he told a press conference after launching a forum at the party headquarters here yesterday where he was asked when was the most suitable time to hold GE15.
“I suppose the Prime Minister has his own views and other considerations. Perhaps he is waiting for the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Opposition to expire on July 31 to honour his word.
“We will wait until July 31 and then discuss this,” he added.
Mohamad said that the party would discuss the issue with the Prime Minister and not pressure him.
“Although he is the party vice-president, he is also the Prime Minister. Those are two different positions. He must have his own considerations,” he said.
The government and Pakatan Harapan leaders signed the MOU on bipartisan cooperation and political stability on Sept 13 last year.
Under the agreement, the government, among others, agreed not to dissolve Parliament before July 31, to allow for a period of political stability.
On a separate matter, Mohamad said the decision to amend the party constitution with regards to party polls was made in order to avoid any split in Umno.
He said if the party polls was called before the general election, it could cause disunity and create splits within party ranks.
“I do not want to see the party splitting. There will be some sort of split (if it is held). It will be suicidal,” he added.
The Umno extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to amend the party constitution will be held on Sunday at the World Trade Centre here, followed by a double celebration for Umno’s anniversary and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
The EGM is being held to approve the proposed party constitutional amendment so that its polls would be held within six months of the general election.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan had said the motion to allow the amendments was approved at the Umno general assembly in March last year.
Mohamad said that once the general election is concluded, party members are free to participate in party polls.
“Then, whoever has the intention to contest for any position, they can go ahead,” he added.
Mohamad also reiterated that the party’s top leadership will make the final decision on the Muafakat Nasional charter, adding that other comments made by Umno or other party leaders should be seen as their personal views.
The Muafakat charter was signed on Sept 14, 2019, by PAS and Umno.
Among others, it states that the parties agreed to cooperate for the development of the Muslim and Malay narrative without denying the diversity of religion, race and culture as being central to the political stability, racial harmony and peace of the country.
However, PAS officially joined Perikatan Nasional as a component member on Aug 20 last year, which triggered uneasiness among Umno grassroots.
Perikatan consists of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, PAS, Gerakan, Sabah STAR and the Sabah Progressive Party.
Ahmad had previously said Umno’s 191 divisions would deliberate on the Muafakat pact when they meet during the party’s annual general meeting on Dec 18.
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