KUALA LUMPUR: While Umno’s Top Five discusses when to call for GE15, the party will not pressure the Prime Minister to raise the issue in Cabinet, assures Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

       The Umno president said any decision made by the Cabinet would be respected.

       “We will respect the Cabinet’s decision 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 a consensus among the Cabinet members during its meeting.

       “At the same time, we will heed the delegates’ calls for us to meet and look into the matter,” he said.

       The current Parliament term expires in June 2023.

       The call for GE15 took prominence at the general assembly where delegates wanted the party’s top five – president, deputy president and the three vice-presidents to find the most suitable time to call for the national polls.

       Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is among the top five by virtue of him being one of the vice-presidents.

       Asked whether the general election would be held before the memorandum of understanding between the government and the opposition expires in July, Ahmad Zahid said Umno would honour it.

       “The Prime Minister should consider the political situation 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 am confident in the wisdom of the Prime Minister in making any decision about the MOU,” he said.

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

       On prime minister candidacy, he said it would be announced at an appropriate time and that Umno has many candidates.

       Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the party leadership would hold discussions to decide when the general election should be held while the party was in the feel-good moment.

       Mohamad also said the general election should not be delayed any longer for fear of the Opposition reuniting and becoming an obstacle for Umno and Barisan Nasional.

       “We won in the recent state polls in Melaka and Johor because the Opposition was not united. Do not wait for them to rise again and reunite to form a bigger team and fight us,” he said.

       Ismail Sabri said the matter would also be discussed at the supreme council and the Cabinet before it is presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for consent.

       “If we can be sure of winning, we wouldn’t even wait a second more to call for an election,” he said.