GE15 soon? BN sec-gen hopeful of ‘major event’ this year

KUALA LUMPUR – With a wry remark to expect “a major event” this year, Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said BN is ready for the polls to be held at any time.

Although the prime minister has until September 2023 to hold the general election, Zambry said BN is preparing for the election to be held as early as in the next few months.

“We are hopeful for a major event this year,” the former Perak menteri besar told editors today.

“Usually towards the end of a parliamentary term, we already start making preparations, including having programmes geared towards a general election being called soon,” he said at the Concorde Club editors’ roundtable today.

The present Parliament term ends on July 15, 2023 – meaning the election must be held within 60 days from that date.

However, Zambry said discussions are being held at the BN and Umno levels for the likelihood that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob calls for the general election this year.

“We are ready for it to be called at any time. We have to be prepared for any possibilities.

“We only have a window of one year, so I don’t dismiss any possible dates,” said the former Internal Security Act detainee.

He added that Umno’s “Top 5” – president, deputy president and the three vice-presidents, of which Ismail Sabri is one – had met several times to discuss preparations for the general election.

Meanwhile, Zambry added that BN needs to govern with a clear mandate from the people.

“No government should govern by default,” he said, referring to the political instability of the last two years that saw the collapse of the elected Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.

“We need a stable and lasting government especially now to address the country’s economic issues,” he added.

The brainchild of Star Media Group adviser Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai and former Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Azman Ujang, the Concorde Club is a gathering of journalists and newsmakers to share insights on matters of public interest. – The Vibes, June 15, 2022