00:01Barisan Nasional and UMNO want Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to call the next general election early
00:07instead of waiting for the automatic dissolution of parliament at the end of next year.
00:12BN Chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi believes it would be better for GE16 to be held early
00:18although the UMNO-led coalition is also prepared if the Prime Minister opts to serve the full five-year term.
00:24Zahid told Berita Harian that BN must prepare itself for the next nationwide polls
00:30by addressing the people's concerns to ensure that the coalition remains politically relevant.
00:36The current federal government term ends in December 2027,
00:41after which a general election must be called within 60 days.
00:45This means GE16 could be held as late as February 2028.
00:50BN is a key component of Anwar's unity government and back the Pakatan Harapan chairman
00:56after the 2022 general election resulted in a hung parliament.
01:01Asked whether BN preferred working with PH or the past-led Perikatan Nasional,
01:07Zahid said the coalition must first weigh the pros and cons.
01:10He pointed to BN's differing approaches in recent state elections, noting that it was willing to go solo in Johor
01:18but felt an alliance was more beneficial in Negri Sembilan.
01:22The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that UMNO's grassroots were pushing for Malay political unity,
01:28referring to cooperation with PAS.
01:30He stressed that this would be a priority in pursuing alliances,
01:35while acknowledging that the nation's diversity must remain the foundation
01:39for navigating an increasingly complex political landscape.
01:44Hanyu Jo, FMT.
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