KUALA LUMPUR - Umno believes the country has reached the “iddah” (grace period) for the 16th General Election (GE16), although the current parliamentary term has yet to reach the five-year mark, said Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
He said the party’s view was based on the opinions, arguments and discussions among its representatives, who believed an election could be held once three years had passed.
“Based on the opinions, arguments and discussions among our representatives, we believe we have reached GE’s ‘iddah’, although five years have not yet passed. In the context of the GE, ‘iddah’ means that once three years have passed, it is permissible for the election to be held.
“As mentioned by the president, whatever major plans we intend to pursue, it is reasonable for us to give the people the mandate to decide. This was seen during the Johor state election, when the state had reached its ‘iddah’ at four years and one month.
“At that time, the Johor government proposed the ‘Maju Johor’ plan, which contained a wide range of agendas for the following 10 years. Such a plan could not be decided by the government alone and required a clear mandate from the people,” he said in a press conference at Umno General Assembly 2026 here today.
He said the same principle applied to the “Gagasan Malaysia Biru” proposed by party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, describing it as a major offer that should ultimately be presented to the people for their consideration.
“This is also what our representatives want to see in relation to the ‘Gagasan Malaysia Biru’ mentioned by the president. It represents a major offer to the people, but the proposal and urgency to hold GE16 cannot be pursued on its own.
“Ultimately, the mandate must come from the people,” he added.
Asyraf was responding to questions from reporters regarding Zahid’s call for an early GE16.
At the party's assembly yesterday, Zahid reiterated the party’s call for an early GE16, saying it reflected what he described as the people’s wish rather than Umno’s demand.
Zahid said Umno was prepared to fight its political rivals until the end, but stressed that victory could not be taken for granted and required strategies based on different voter demographics, issues and sentiments.
He also reaffirmed Umno’s role in championing Malay interests and Islam while protecting the rights of other communities and described Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties as important to its power-sharing formula.
Zahid said the political landscape had become more complex, with younger voters less tied to traditional political loyalties. He also pointed to Sabah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan as lessons for the party, with Melaka set to be the next battleground.