KUCHING: The 15th General Election (GE15) could be held early next year instead of at the end of this year.
Political observer Datuk Peter Minos, in making this prediction said there is now less pressure on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to call for the national polls.
“After the conviction of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak by the Federal Court, it appears that there is less pressure on Ismail Sabri to hold GE15 this year.
“The court cluster group in United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) is feeling crippled by the imprisonment of its star campaigner and strategist,” he said today.
Minos, a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) veteran said UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is realising that he is left alone with no strong backers to push for early polls as well as having to deal with his own set of problems.
“He has problems with the courts, and if his luck runs out, he will get a similar treatment to Najib – it looks bleak for him,” he said.
At the same time, Minos also said that the rainy season would be a point of consideration in calling for the general election at the end of the year.
“The raining season is getting more serious, although rain appears to be sporadic by the day, it may get worse,” he said.
He added that heavy rain, along with flooding will cause difficulties for voters to go to the ballot boxes to cast their votes.
Meanwhile, on speculations that the GE15 will be held soon due to the earlier tabling of the National 2023 Budget, Minos said time is still needed for the benefits of the Budget to be seen.
“At least six months from Oct this year (when the Budget is tabled) will do. So GE15 in March or April of 2023 will be fine for the national polls,” he said.
He viewed that many do not mind for the polls to be held next year instead of rushing for it to be held this year.
“People do ask, ‘why the big rush?’ and ‘why not wait for early next year?’. It is only a matter of six months,” he said.
