Zahid wants Anwar to call early GE16

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has encouraged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to call the next general election (GE16) earlier rather than waiting for the automatic dissolution of Parliament at the end of next year. Zahid, a key figure in the coalition, believes that an earlier election would be beneficial for the coalition's political relevance.

While Umno-led coalition is prepared to support Anwar's decision to see out the full five-year tenure, Zahid emphasized the importance of addressing the people's concerns and ensuring the coalition remains politically relevant. The current term for the federal government ends in December 2027, and GE16 could be held in February 2028 at the latest.

As a component of Anwar's unity government, BN has previously backed the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman alongside other parties. When asked about their preference between working with PH or the PAS-led Perikatan Nasional, Zahid stated that his coalition must carefully weigh the pros and cons of potential alliances. They have previously chosen to go solo in the Johor state election due to the political landscape, but in Negeri Sembilan, forming an alliance was more beneficial.

Zahid stressed the importance of considering political gains when determining negotiations, calculating the pros and cons to see whether they would be in the black or in the red. He acknowledged the importance of Malay political unity, referring to Umno's cooperation with PAS, but also emphasized that the nation's diversity must serve as the foundation as they navigate the increasingly complex political landscape.