Common for parties to seek general election after three years, says Tok Mat

KUALA LUMPUR: The Umno deputy president, Mohamad Hasan, stated that it is typical for political parties to seek a new mandate from voters after a government has been in power for three years. Speaking at the 2026 Umno General Assembly, he noted that the current administration has been in office for more than three years, a period when the mood for an election usually arises.

Whether an election should be called or not is a decision left to the ruling party. Political entities invariably wish to obtain a fresh mandate from the electorate, according to Hasan. Umno, as one of the key parties in Malaysia's political arena, also aims to secure this fresh mandate from its supporters and constituents. Earlier, Umno's president, Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, announced a full-scale campaign against the party's rivals, declaring that the call for early General Elections (GE16) reflects public sentiment rather than a direct demand from within the party.

Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin, Kedah Umno's information chief, suggested that the state chapter might initiate political discussions with the opposition party, Pas, but not with Perikatan Nasional (PN). Hasan emphasized that any such talks at the state level should be reported to the party headquarters. He highlighted the need for a tailored approach to each state, given the diverse political landscape in Malaysia, and stressed the importance of reviewing all negotiations and discussions at a higher level.