PM sidesteps questions on GE15 date, but says Umno is ready

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has sidestepped questions on whether or not the general election will be held this year.

"Wait first. If I tell you... you will know much earlier already," he told reporters at Umno's extraordinary general meeting at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here on Sunday (May 15).

He was asked by the media whether or not the 15th General Election (GE15) will be held this year.

Earlier, Umno had unanimously passed amendments to its constitution to postpone party elections until after GE15.

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Ismail Sabri, who is also an Umno vice-president, said passing the amendments will not affect the date of GE15 as these were separate matters.

He said the amendments were an internal party matter while the date of the general election will be determined by the government.

"The date will be determined via a Cabinet meeting.

"The party is different from the government.

"The party also understands that if there are any proposals, it has to go through the Cabinet.

"Once the Cabinet has decided, it will give the mandate to me to bring it to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"That is based on procedure," he added.

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Asked if Umno was prepared to face the general election, Ismail Sabri said the party had been ready for a very long time, "not just because of today".

Asked if Umno’s constitutional amendments will be accepted by the Registrar of Societies (ROS), he said that is up to the government agency.

"The motion was passed unanimously. After this, Umno will write to ROS to get approval. We have 60 days to submit the application," he said.