Anwar Open to Early Malaysia GE as Zahid Pushes Snap Poll — SkimNews
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- Anwar Ibrahim said he is "open to considering" calls for an early 16th general election, but stressed the decision rests with him and would be presented to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar for parliament's dissolution.
- Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, deputy prime minister and BN chairman, said Thursday it would be "better" for GE16 to be held early, though he added BN is prepared if Anwar serves out the unity government's full five-year term.
- Abdul Hadi Awang, president of PAS and a component of opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional, also called for snap polls and said PAS is ready with candidates regardless of timing.
- Malaysia's 16th general election must legally be held by February 2028, with Anwar's unity government comprising his Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, BN and Borneo-based parties.
- BN contested alone in the July Johor state election but formed an alliance with PN in the recent Negeri Sembilan contest, with BN and PN leaders saying talks would soon begin for an electoral pact in Melaka where a state election is due by February next year.
- BN secretary-general Zambry Abd Kadir said calls for an earlier poll should not be read as BN trying to "poke holes in the roof" (tebuk atap) of the unity government, stressing BN remains committed to maintaining the coalition until an election date is announced.
Why it matters: The snap-polls push is coming from inside Anwar's cabinet — his own DPM Zahid is publicly floating an early vote, three years before the February 2028 deadline. Meanwhile BN is already coordinating electorally with opposition PN at the state level (Negeri Sembilan, potentially Melaka), meaning a national election could reshape the coalition arithmetic that currently keeps Anwar's unity government intact.
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