GE15: Group embroiled in court cases preventing PM from setting date, opines Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: The prime minister cannot set the date for the general election (GE) based on the "threats" of a small group who are embroiled in court cases, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim while not ruling out the possibility of early polls.

Anwar said this when asked if elections would be called soon as the date for Budget 2023 had been brought forward to early October.

The Pakatan Harapan chairman was speaking to reporters after a townhall session with youth here on Sunday (Sept 11).

However, the PKR president said the party was prepared with its election machinery and discussions within Pakatan would also begin.

Anwar said Pakatan had already anticipated the general election to take place in October or early November and the election machinery would be ready by then.

He also noted that discussions on Budget 2023 between the Opposition and the government had also begun.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had previously downplayed speculations on parliament being dissolved after the tabling of the government spending plan.

The Prime Minister said it was normal for the Budget to be tabled early as it was also done during the tenure of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.