Cabinet meeting today may discuss dates for GE15

SHAH ALAM - The cabinet meeting today will be the main focus of the nation's politics with it expected to discuss the dates for the 15th General Elections.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Monday said he would bring the views of all parties regarding the election dates on Wednesday considering his cabinet had representatives from multiple parties.

The Umno Vice President said the discussion might be faster from a normal meeting between Umno leadership or the 'Top 5' that consisted of the party's President, Deputy President and three Vice Presidents.

The Bera MP was scheduled to depart to New York, United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) after the cabinet meeting.

The meeting of the five highest Umno leaders that included Ismail Sabri was scheduled on Saturday, but it was postponed due to the Supreme Working Council Special Meeting being delayed from being held on the same day.

As it was well known, Umno was one of the parties who urged for GE15 to be held this year.

Umno Deputy President and Election Director Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan on Aug 29 said GE15 would be held this year given that Ismail Sabri had committed not to have it next year.

Umno Secretary-General Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan on Sunday said the party was confident that GE15 would be held between October and December.

The idea of elections this year generally was not accepted by other parties, not only for the opposition bloc but the parties forming the current government such as Pas.

The main factors that they denied the idea were the flood warnings predicted in the middle of November followed by a monsoon season in December.

The current government has the duration up to June next year to hold GE15 which is the end of the 14th Parliament term.

Among the main issues expected to be discussed in the cabinet meeting were the job scam syndicates that involved Malaysians and the crisis faced by rubber tappers as well as small farmers with their incomes.