Brace for early GE16 if BN-PN win Melaka, says Samsuri
PN chairman says it could set off further 'political developments' and put pressure on PH to dissolve Parliament.
Perikatan Nasional chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has forecasted an early general election if the Barisan Nasional-Pernasional (BN-PN) alliance emerges victorious in the Melaka state election. Samsuri, who serves as the Terengganu Menteri Besar, suggested that the alliance's victory could trigger significant political shifts and put pressure on the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He did not specify the nature of these potential political developments. Samsuri, in an interview, urged PN's election machinery to be ready for the possibility of GE16 being called at any time, stating, "Brace for impact." The 16th general election is scheduled for early 2028 if Parliament completes its term, but opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin had previously speculated that Anwar might call for early polls by August next year.
BN and PN are cooperating in the Melaka state election, with BN fielding candidates in 23 seats while PN contests five. BN Chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has stated that PN would be invited to join the state government if the alliance secures a win. Separately, Samsuri criticized Anwar's call for voters to choose candidates with direct access to the Prime Minister's Office, deeming it an outdated electoral strategy.
He argued that such connections may not persist after GE16, as Anwar's continued premiership is uncertain, and possessing direct access to Putrajaya might be unattainable for a legislator if they become an isolated figure within the Melaka assembly. Samsuri urged Malaccans to focus on candidates' governance plans and how they will address the state's issues, rather than prioritizing direct access to the Prime Minister's Office.
Anwar had previously urged voters to select candidates with a "direct line" to the Prime Minister's Office, citing examples of PKR president Azman Abidin and PKR deputy Farzana Hayani Nasir, whose roles in the PMO as an officer and political secretary, respectively, provide them with direct connections to the Prime Minister.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
