UMNO has reiterated that the 15th general election should be held now because the people want a legitimate government which is not held together through political schemes, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. 

The Umno president said there is a need to return the mandate to the people.

“Barisan Nasional needs to immediately get the people’s mandate to ensure stability.”

“Our position has been consistent since the beginning. So, let there not be voices among us that start accusing us of being stupid for wanting elections.”  

“We are consistent in this matter. This is not the decision of Zahid Hamidi or Tok Mat (Umno deputy president Mohamed) Hassan,” he said at WTC during a special Umno briefing. 

He said that these were the voices and decisions made collectively by the Umno Supreme Council, the Umno general assembly and the special general assembly. 

“The reality is the fact that the unstable political scenario has put the country’s economy in a state of decline.”

“The stability and virtue that is chanted is like a mere fairy tale. The fact is, stable politics will not depend on a few sheets of agreement papers (memorandum of understanding) alone.” 

Zahid said that for the sake of jailed prime minister Najib Razak’s fighting spirit they need to continue this struggle in GE15. 

“Ensuring the success of the party’s struggle is our defense for him.”

“We need to urgently regain a new and absolute mandate from the people through GE15.”

“This is to restore a stable government, because only with stability, can we ensure the prosperity and well-being of the country for the people.”

He said that the party has already made a decision to have GE15 now and any breach will only put the party on the brink of disunity and destruction.

“Each of us needs to go back to Umno’s base. We must have the same goal.”

“The party’s decision is a joint decision, which we must obey, because this is a decision made by all.”

“Don’t be suspicious of each other. Don’t create a party within a party.”

Zahid had called on all their members to unite together to achieve their goals.  

“We need to record history, that we are among those who rose from the fall and restored the dignity of the party that was tainted.” – August 27, 2022.