Reports by MAZWIN NIK ANIS, JOSEPH KAOS Jr and JUNAID IBRAHIM

       KUALA LUMPUR: While most Umno delegates anticipated that the presidential address would focus on blaring the GE15 war-horn, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi played it cool by not explicitly pushing for an early general election.

       In his presidential address yesterday, Ahmad Zahid said Umno and Barisan Nasional had several successful election outings, the latest being in Johor.

       The Umno president said the party upheld the Federal Constitution and understood that the power to dissolve Parliament was with the Prime Minister.

       “The Prime Minister will be the one handling the matter and will seek the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (to dissolve the Parliament). We do not want to interfere with this.

       “However, Umno has the power to determine the party’s direction and we won in several by-elections and state polls. So what are we waiting for?” he asked.

       The current Parliament term expires in June 2023 and a general election must be held by July that year.

       Ahmad Zahid said the Opposition had ulterior motives and intended to kill the government from the inside, citing the story of Helen of Troy and the Trojan war as an example.

       “We must realise that our opponents have never stopped trying to destroy us. When they signed the MOU (memorandum of understanding), it means they had ulterior motives. I believe, when they accepted us, it is because they knew this was a way to kill us.

       “So, should we extend the MOU? We leave it to the wisdom of the Prime Minister to decide,” he said.

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

       As a condition, Pakatan Harapan also agreed to support or abstain from major votes in Parliament.

       On the Umno polls, Ahmad Zahid said he did not unilaterally make a decision to hold Umno polls after the general election, adding that 186 out of 190 divisions had agreed to this.

       “It is a norm for Umno to focus on the general election before it conducts internal polls. This has been the practice for years. Is it reasonable to change this tradition?” he asked.

       He said when it was time for Umno election, all posts would be up for contests and anyone can vie for any position, including the president’s post.

       “If Tok Mat (Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan) wants to, he can contest the presidency, if anyone wants to contest the deputy president and vice-president posts, by all means, go ahead,” he said.

       The various Umno wings’ have pressed the party to push for a general election, on the basis that it should be done as the momentum was good for the party and Barisan.

       Observers believed the issue would be addressed by the president during his winding-up address today.

       “He is probably saving the best for last and will share his views on GE15 during his winding-up speech,” said an observer.

       Umno was supposed to elect its office bearers last year but postponed the election for 18 months.

       The Registrar of Societies directed the party to hold its polls before Dec 29 this year.