[UPDATED] PM yet to discuss GE15 date with Umno’s top five

BERA – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today said that he has yet to discuss with Umno’s top five on the 15th general election’s (GE15) date.

The Umno top five refers to its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and the three vice-presidents, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and the prime minister himself.

He said he will discuss the matter with the party’s senior leaders, and consequently with MCA and MIC, as well as other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties.

 “...I must get the cabinet’s approval before going to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to get His Majesty’s consent for the dissolution of Parliament.

“That’s the procedure that needs to be observed,” he said in his speech at the presentation of the 2022 allocation for the Chinese and Indian communities in the Bera parliamentary constituency at Bera Umno Complex in Padang Luas here today.

Although the date for GE15 remains unknown for now, it is nevertheless getting closer, he said while referring to a statement by Umno deputy president Mohamad, who expected the polls to be held before the end of the year.

This means it is getting closer, thus making it more important for the party machinery to start preparing, the prime minister warned.

Ismail said the BN machinery here should work hard not only to maintain the Bera parliamentary and the Guai and Kemayan state seats, but also to win back the Triang state seat from DAP.

“Now, the Triang seat is given to MCA who has to prove that they can win the seat. It is a challenge for them, and for all of us, to recapture the seat which everybody says will remain with DAP,” he added.

At the event, the prime minister presented contributions to 68 associations and clubs representing the Chinese and Indian communities in the Bera parliamentary constituency. – Bernama, September 11, 2022