KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will honour the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by both the government and the Opposition in deciding when the next general election should be, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

       The party president added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob should consider the political situation of the country as the foundation for discussing the matter with the Opposition.

       “We have to respect the MOU signed by the government as well as the Opposition.

       “And, I also believe in the wisdom of the Prime Minister in making any decisions with the Opposition (about the MOU),” he said in a press conference on Saturday (March 19).

       Under the MOU, the government agreed not to dissolve Parliament before July 31 to allow for a period of political stability.

       Ahmad Zahid also said that the party was not putting pressure on Ismail Sabri to bring the matter to the Cabinet.

       “We will respect the decision to be made by the Cabinet as it also consists of leaders from various parties other than Umno.

       “However, I do not see any big issue for the Prime Minister to achieve the consensus decision (regarding the election) among the Cabinet members during its meeting,” he said.

       The call for the 15th General Election and dissolution of the parliament has been echoed throughout the four-day convention by the party's wings and delegates.