Umno leaders call for early GE16 as Harapan rift deepens

Umno leader Ahmad Maslan has called for the 16th General Election (GE16) to be held earlier due to strained ties between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan. The Pontian MP suggested that the election be conducted concurrently with the state elections in Melaka or Sarawak, as this would be the best option compared to the "tebuk atap" (throwing things down) attempt, which has been rejected by the Barisan Nasional (BN).

Maslan pointed to the way party leaders have been treated in prosecutions and the deteriorating relationship within the unity government as reasons for the earlier GE16. The Pakatan Harapan (PH) party, which forms the core of the current government, has lost three state elections, and some predict it could lose in Melaka and Sarawak, indicating a lack of confidence in the government's core party.

Umno president Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi echoed Maslan's sentiments, reiterating the call for an early GE16 during the 2026 Umno General Assembly. He believed cooperation between BN and PH for any election, including the Melaka election, would not materialize. Both emphasized that the mandate should be returned to the people to choose their representatives.