Hold GE15 this year or BN could lose, Zahid warns

(FMT) – Barisan Nasional (BN) risks losing the next general election (GE15) if it is not held within the next few months, says Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The BN chairman said the coalition was at its strongest level currently and felt “very confident” about its chances, adding that is why the polls must be held soon to take advantage of the situation.

“Umno does not want the opposition to continue its attacks against BN in the months to come, if the polls are only held next year.

“Delaying GE15 means giving the enemy ammunition to continue attacking (us),” he said on Facebook.

Zahid added that the opposition was “spinning” issues to attack BN-Umno but its arguments were incoherent.

He then pointed to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s admission that the opposition was currently split and disorganised.

Yesterday, the Pejuang chairman was reported to have said that BN-Umno was likely to “win big” if GE15 was held in two to three months as the party felt that the public still looks up to it.

Zahid said Mahathir’s admission makes a strong argument for the government to meet the demands of the Umno leadership and grassroots to hold GE15 this year.

“Hurry up or Umno and BN will lose GE15,” he said. “Better to have it now than to regret later.”

A general election is not required until September next year.

Zahid had previously pressed for the polls to be held as early as possible, especially after BN’s landslide victories at state elections in Melaka, last November, and Johor, in March.