“ANYTIME from now” – that was the gist of a briefing by Umno’s top brass to its state and divisional leaders at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today. 

Sabah Umno chairman Bung Moktar Radin said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob did not mention any dates for the dissolution of parliament. 

He said the upcoming election was discussed at the briefing and the date of the election was understood to be imminent. 

“(The prime minister) did not mention (any dates) but said the election date is anytime from now,” he said when met after the briefing. 

Earlier, Ismail and other party leaders including president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi held a special closed-door meeting with the heads of its 191 divisions and party wings. 

When asked when Ismail would have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Bung said it was not mentioned at the briefing. 

“No date was given but it can be anytime,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Ahmad Shabery Cheek confirmed today’s gathering was to urge party leaders to prepare for a general election. 

“He (the prime minister) asked all (of the party machinery) to prepare for any eventuality. 

“God willing, with the spirit we have shown, we are prepared to face the possibility of the election being held at any time,” he said. – October 4, 2022.