Strike while the enemy’s weak: now best time for GE15, says Tok Mat

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that now is the best time to hold the next general election (GE15).

In a press conference today, Mohamad said it is important to seize the opportunity to “strike” as the opposition bloc is in “total disarray”.  

“As far as the party is concerned, now is the right time. The window is within now and whenever. That is the party’s position. 

“This is the right window for us to strike while the enemy is weak,” he said at a press conference after launching an Umno forum in Menara Dato’ Onn here today.

However, he said the decision to dissolve Parliament and call for a general election lies with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Noting that the government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Pakatan Harapan (PH) on bipartisan cooperation and political stability, he said the prime minister should not be pressured into making a decision as he has his own views and consideration. 

“We will wait until July 31 and after that, we will discuss.”

The MoU signed by the government and PH stipulates that Parliament will not be dissolved before July 31 this year, to allow for a period of political stability.  

Meanwhile, commenting on the special party general assembly this Sunday, the Rantau assemblyman said he expects that the delegates will pass the party’s constitution amendment.

This, he said, would give the party an option to determine the date of its internal election. 

He said that currently under clause 10.1.6 of the party constitution, the party can only postpone the party election for 18 months, as stipulated in clause 10 of the Umno constitution. 

“After this, we will add a new clause in clause 10.1.6, which is that the party election can be postponed for 18 months or six months after the GE. We have a choice.”

He also expressed confidence that the amendment to the party constitution will be accepted and approved by the Registrar of Societies as the party has followed all the legal processes. – The Vibes, May 11, 2022