PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has hinted that the general election could be called after the national budget is tabled before the year is out, said Johor Bersatu committee member Osman Sapian.

The former menteri besar told Sinar Harian Muhyiddin dropped the hint during a virtual Johor Bersatu meeting on June 16. Muhyiddin is Bersatu president and Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman.

“There’s a big likelihood GE15 will be at the end of this year, maybe November or December. That isn’t surprising as general elections have been held after the budget is tabled,” Osman said.

He added the government would wait for state governments to table their respective budgets.

The budget is tabled in the third and final sitting of parliament at the end of each year. 

However, parliament has not sat this year as the House as well as state assemblies are suspended during a state of emergency, which came into effect in January.

The emergency will end on August 1 and the PN government is under pressure not to extend it.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has decreed that parliament should convene as soon as possible, amid mounting public anger over the lack of checks and balances on the PN government.

Osman, who is Kempas assemblyman, added when elections would be held would also depend on whether the Covid-19 outbreak had been contained and other factors such as herd immunity and vaccinate rate.

He said that Muhyiddin had given orders to Bersatu to get ready for the polls, including preparing campaign materials and training division heads. – June 22, 2021.