DISCORD among parties in the government coalition means that a general election will not be held before Budget 2023 is tabled, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in an interview with Sinar Harian.

“If the election date were up to me, I would fix it when my party is strong enough to win,” he said.

“I expect the government is thinking the same thing. They will choose a date when they are sure they can win. But at the moment, they are faced with disunity,” the former prime minister was quoted as saying by the Malay daily.

As a result, parliament is unlikely to be dissolved, said the chairman of opposition party Pejuang.

He said some government parties want the election to be held at once while others want it later.

“Therefore, I am of the view that GE15 will not be held anytime soon. Furthermore, the 2023 budget has not been tabled,” Dr Mahathir added.

It is widely known that Umno has been pressing for a snap election while another government party, Bersatu, is not keen on the idea.

Parliament will automatically dissolve on July 16 next year.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is Umno vice-president, is under pressure to call for elections.

Dr Mahathir, who is Langkawi MP, reiterated that his party will not enter the election under the Pakatan Harapan “big tent”.

He said this is because many Malays still reject DAP. – July 21, 2022.