From Malaysiakini:
GE15 to be called next year - Umno No 2 predicts
The 15th general election will be called by next year, according to Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan.
"Don't worry, this is a half-term government, not a one-term government. It will not last.
"I am confident Pakatan Harapan won't last long. I expect the election would be called between May to December next year," he said when officiating the Sepang Umno division meeting this evening.
Mohamad attributed this to the political situation in Harapan as well as what he claimed will be Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's refusal to hand over power to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.
While not naming them, he referred to Mahathir as "atok" (grandfather) and Anwar as "abang" (brother).
"In the current situation and knowing atok, he will not hand over to our abang. He will not do it. I am confident and believe he won't hand over."
Mohamad said he believes Mahathir will call for a snap election once the situation becomes unsettled.
"When he does not get it (hand over), our abang will go to the streets again. He'll be at Padang Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur every week," he said.
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Kaytee notes:
I dare say Mohd Hasan's prediction has quite a high probability of becoming true.
Mahathir will call for the predicted snap election, not because the Pakatan coalition becomes too 'unsettled', but ONCE he has the necessary 'numbers' though I'm not sure whether that will include the DAP contingent - personally I doubt it.
For sure, he can depend on the PKR Dwarfs, Amanah, Peh Mor's GPS, some Sabahans and who knows, even some UMNO and PAS - rallying them to his Muslim Unity banner. PAS is known to favour him over Anwar Ibrahim and Annuar Musa (UMNO) also said he favours Mahathir over Anwar.
His major drawback is his age where would-be allies would think twice before backing him over Anwar. Azmin Ali could have been a more acceptable PKR alternative but alas, the gay sexual allegations against him may yet prove to be a millstone to his political future.
His major drawback is his age where would-be allies would think twice before backing him over Anwar. Azmin Ali could have been a more acceptable PKR alternative but alas, the gay sexual allegations against him may yet prove to be a millstone to his political future.
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Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg with leaders of other GPS component parties holding the logo of GPS coalition in Kuching January 9, 2019 (Picture by Sulok Tawie) The Sarawak chief minister also thanked Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government for approving GPS as legal political entity for all Sarawakians. GPS comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP). The parties formed GPS after abandoning Barisan Nasional following its general election defeat and were officially recognised as a new political coalition by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) on November 22, 2018. |
With the 'stone' of the snap election, Mahathir will kill two birds, namely, (a) Anwar politically (removing a hated thorn in his side), and (b) re-asserts the dominance of his Pribumi Party to continue his 'old' policies, eg. UMNO III, his dynastic aspirations and to indulge his proclivities such as Car No 3 etc without constant meowing from his allies.
I suspect he'll call the snap election WITHOUT consulting any of his Pakatan allies (other than those guaranteed of siding with him and Pribumi).
I wonder what can the DAP and Anwar & his Pandan Cats do?
