Opposition reluctant to face GE15 now given its weak state, says Ahmad Maslan

PETALING JAYA: It is not premature to call for the general election with Parliament in the final year of its current term, says Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

Furthermore, the Pontian MP said, Opposition parties did not want the 15th General Election (GE15) to be called now as they were weak.

“There’s no problem with dissolving Parliament now that Covid-19 is under control.

“Why should we listen to what the Opposition is saying when they don’t like (holding the) general election since they’re facing issues right now,” he was quoted as saying recently by Utusan Malaysia.

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He also said those asking when GE15 would be held should stop doing that, as it would happen soon.

Lately, some Umno leaders including former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have reportedly been urging Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to call for GE15 now.

The general feeling is that Barisan Nasional could regain a strong majority to form the Federal Government after its defeat in 2018.

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Ismail Sabri had expressed his reluctance to hold GE15 at this time, saying the country's economic problems took precedence.

Other Umno leaders including Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa have backed Ismail Sabri, saying this was not the right time to hold a general election.

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At Barisan's 48th anniversary celebration on Wednesday (June 1), Ahmad Zahid had asked the Umno, MCA, MIC and PBRS representatives gathered at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre if they wanted the general election to be held this year.

He was greeted with a resounding "Yes!" from the estimated 4,000-strong crowd.

Ahmad Zahid also said he would talk to the Prime Minister about GE15, and Ismail Sabri gave an assurance that he would not delay the polls when the time comes.