KUALA LUMPUR: The Umno machinery should be ready for the possibility of a general election, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

       The party president said Umno’s wings and divisions, supported by state liaisons, have shown their readiness to deploy election machinery to face GE15.

       "It is especially when all three wings have stated that the rakyat's mandate must be acquired within this specific time frame," he said at a press conference after visiting the media centre at the Umno General Assembly at World Trade Centre here.

       However, Ahmad Zahid added that the decision to dissolve Parliament and the call for election will depend on the advice of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

       “All three wings have expressed their hopes for the party to regain mandates from the rakyat," he said

       “As the party leader, this is a political arrangement, however, we must also respect the King’s decision,” added Ahmad Zahid on Thursday (March 17), adding that the grassroots voices should be listened to.

       Ahmad Zahid also said it is timely to hold the general election as several aspects have been scrutinised.

       On Wednesday night (March 16), party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan called for the general election to be held soon, saying that now is better than later.

       He said weaknesses among Umno’s political rivals should be taken advantage of as the main reason why the polls must be held as soon as possible.

       He said this in his speech at the opening of the meetings of the Umno Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings.