Snap election in Q1? Umno gives clearest indication yet

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysians can expect the polls to be called soon as Umno makes its stand clear about severing ties with Bersatu and forcing a general election.

Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said with Covid-19 vaccines expected to be rolled out starting next month and millions to be inoculated in the months following, there is no longer a reason to postpone the election.

He said expediting the polls is vital for the Bersatu-led Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, which currently lacks any formidable majority or stability.

“The government used to have 113 MPs but, following the death of one of our lawmakers and with Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah recently pulling out support, we only have the backing of 111 out of 222 parliamentarians.  

“How do we govern the country without a majority? And, to ensure economic stability, we need a stable government, which is an important factor in luring investors. But at the moment, we are so fragile. I hope the rakyat understands,” he said today.

Ahmad said a final decision on Umno’s position will be made tomorrow night when the party’s Supreme Council convenes.

He told this to the press after attending a meeting of Umno division leaders chaired by president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the party’s headquarters here.

Ahmad was asked if recent developments point to a snap election being held before the next parliamentary sitting in March.

This comes after three-quarters of Umno’s divisions resolved not to cooperate with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Bersatu in the next polls, piling pressure on the leadership to cut its ties with its own splinter party. 

On Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) possibly working with other opposition parties ahead of the polls, Ahmad said they are hoping to strengthen their relationship with Muafakat Nasional ally PAS, as well as Gabungan Parti Sarawak. 

He added that Umno and PAS have recently negotiated on seat allocations for the nationwide election. 

“What’s clear is we won’t work with DAP. This was clearly communicated by the president in today’s meeting,” he said. 

Asked if Umno would consider cooperating with others in the opposition, Ahmad said while it was not discussed today, any decisions made at tomorrow's Supreme Council meeting will be “extremely important”. – The Vibes, January 5, 2021