GEORGE TOWN: There is still time to hold the general elections this year, said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The Prime Minister agreed that there was a window of opportunity to hold the 15th General Election this year but it depended on Umno’s top five.
The Umno's top five refers to its president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, and the three vice-presidents — Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Ismail Sabri himself.
He was responding to reporters after launching the World Congress on Innovation and Technology 2022 (WCIT 2022) held at Setia SPICE Convention Centre here in Bayan Lepas, here on Tuesday (Sept 13).
When asked if there was room for the elections to be held this year, he said briefly that it was up to the top five.
ALSO READ: PM yet to discuss GE15 plans with Umno’s top guns
“Yes, but it all depends on the top 5,” he said.
When asked if he will be the one tabling the Budget 2023 this year set to be held on Oct 7.
Ismail Sabri remained coy telling reporters to “wait and see”.
When asked about former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's health condition as he has been admitted to the National Heart Institute, Ismail said he had contacted The Health Ministry on Monday (Sept 12).
"Whatever he needs we will try to accommodate," he said.
ALSO READ: PM denies being pressured by Umno to call for GE15
Najib's 1MDB trial was initially scheduled to take place from Monday to Thursday this week.
His lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah told the High Court on Tuesday (Sept 13) that Najib's blood pressure was fluctuating.
According to Muhammad Shafee, the Pekan MP has to go through several health tests in the next few days to ascertain his condition.
Muhammad Shafee said he was unable to obtain instructions from his client as he was not allowed to visit Najib in HKL, and therefore he sought for the hearing today to be vacated.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P Kunyalam did not object to an adjournment.
