SEREMBAN: The country should have gone to the polls immediately after the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government in February 2020, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

       The Umno deputy president said he had always maintained this position as any new government not elected by the rakyat would have "trust deficit" problems.

       At the same time, Mohamad – who is also Barisan Nasional war room chairman – dismissed talk he had been pressuring Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to get the King's consent to dissolve Parliament.

       "I have never pressured (anyone) to do so.

       "Read my statements in the media and you will know my stance from day one (after the collapse of the Pakatan government) that the people should decide who they want as their leaders," he said when contacted Friday (March 4).

       Mohamad, who is also Rantau assemblyman, said he felt strongly that the general election should have been held then as investors were beginning to lose faith in Malaysia's competitiveness due to its fragile political situation.

       "The media called me for comments after the collapse of the Pakatan government and I had clearly said that we should go to the polls so that Malaysia will have a stable government.

       "Even before the formation of the Perikatan Nasional government, I had already said that the mandate should be returned to the people so that we can elect a strong government for the next five years," he said.

       He was commenting on a statement by Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman who claimed that Mohamad had been pressuring Ismail Sabri to call for GE15.

       Tajuddin was quoted as saying that Mohamad’s statement was akin to giving an ultimatum to Ismail Sabri to give in to the demand.

       Mohamad, who was picked to replace Tajuddin as party election director in July last year, said only the PM had the prerogative to advise the King on the matter.

       He said a member of the public had asked him during a question-and-answer session in Layang-Layang recently if Umno would pressure the Prime Minister to call for a general election immediately if Barisan Nasional wins the March 12 Johor state election.

       "In reply, I said this was the prerogative of the PM.

       "Never once did I say the PM must do so," he said.

       However, Mohamad said on a personal note, he feels the general election should be called this year.

       "As a party leader, I don't want my party to be blamed for the high cost of living, unemployment and a weak economy due to the uncertainties around us.

       "We should call for a general election so that we can have a strong government for the next five years which will be able to focus on these issues and start attracting investors," he said, adding that this was also the sentiment of the party's grassroots.

       In December, Mohamad had said that the Prime Minister had told Umno that it was not proper to hold a general election soon.

       However, the party's top leaders including Ismail Sabri would continue to hold talks on the right time to call for GE15.