GOVERNMENT MPs have dismissed speculation that Malaysia's 16th General Election (PRU16) could be held as early as next year, saying there is no justification for an early dissolution of Parliament and suggesting that such claims are merely a political tactic by the opposition.
Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan said that calls for an early election were unfounded, especially as the country remains on the right track economically and in terms of policy implementation under the Unity Government.
“The dissolution of Parliament is the prerogative of the Prime Minister. The opposition can speculate, but I don’t think their prediction is accurate,” he told Sinar Harian.
Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan echoed this view, stating that talk of PRU16 has resurfaced because the current parliamentary term has passed its halfway point.
“It’s the season for spinning PRU16 rumours, just because we’re over two and a half years into the term,” he said. “But unless there’s a drastic change in circumstances, the likelihood of a general election next year is very slim.”
Asked whether the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election could serve as a litmus test for the timing of PRU16, Zahir said he would not rule it out entirely. However, political analyst Professor Dr Ahmad Marthada Mohamad warned against drawing national conclusions from Sabah’s results.
“Sabah’s political dynamics are very localised. The voting patterns there are significantly different from those in Peninsular Malaysia, so it would not be a reliable indicator,” he explained.
He added that past shifts in Sabah’s political landscape, including frequent changes in government formation, further weaken its use as a gauge for national sentiment.
Dr Ahmad Marthada predicted that the federal government would serve its full term before calling a general election, especially given the current need to prioritise policy implementation and economic stability.
“The opposition appears to be raising the issue to create the impression that the government is on shaky ground and will be forced into early polls. But there is no evidence the government has lost support,” he said. - Sept 4, 2025
