Hamzah expects Anwar to call GE16 by August next year amid Pakatan-Umno tensions

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin expects Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to call the 16th general election by August next year, citing growing tensions between Pakatan Harapan and Umno, according to Free Malaysia Today (FMT).

Speaking in an interview with BFM Radio, Hamzah said the unity government might struggle to remain intact beyond 2027, pointing to renewed scrutiny of Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s court cases by PH lawmakers.

Hamzah, who leads Wawasan, suggested that the growing friction between the two political blocs could prompt Anwar to call an election before the coalition government fractures.

“I think they have already started to break up. So he has to call (for an election) before that,” he was quoted as saying. 

The Attorney-General’s Chambers decided in January to take no further action on 47 charges involving corruption, criminal breach of trust and money laundering against Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman.

The decision drew criticism from DAP leaders, FMT reported.

Hamzah also suggested Anwar could capitalise on the 2027 SEA Games to build public support before calling an election immediately after the sporting event, scheduled for September 18 to 29.

“Whether it will happen or not, I don’t know. I’m not very sure about that,” he said, as reported by FMT.

He also pointed to the 2027 Budget, which he said contained numerous benefits for the public, as well as a substantial increase in funding for the Election Commission, as possible indications that a general election was approaching.

The EC’s allocation under the recently tabled 2027 Budget rose to RM367 million, compared with RM167 million allocated the previous year. 

The next general election must be held by February 2028. Anwar said last month that he was open to considering calls for an early election.