PUTRAJAYA — Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Friday (Feb 2) gave the strongest hint that the country’s upcoming general election will be held before July 14.
Speaking to 1,200 imams and village chiefs who had been offered to undertake the haj pilgrimage sponsored by the 1Malaysia Development Bhd Foundation, Mr Najib said the pilgrims would witness two ‘raya’ occasions before performing their haj in the holy city of Mecca.
“You are scheduled to leave (for the haj) on July 14, after Hari Raya (Aidilfitri) and another ‘Hari Raya’,” he said in an apparent reference to the Malay word ‘pilihanraya’, which translates to election in English.
“You will depart (for Mecca) after the other ‘raya’.”
to call for elections, failing which parliament dissolves automatically.
Polls must be held within 60 days from the date of dissolution.
But there are talks that Mr Najib will dissolve parliament sometime between the end of March and early April.
Earlier this week, he told reporters he was waiting for inspiration to decide the right time to call for the general election.
The premier faces an unprecedented challenge in this year’s election from his former mentor and ex-premier, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who turned on Mr Najib over financial irregularities in state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
The veteran politician has been Mr Najib’s chief critic for the past few years, accusing the premier of corruption following news of RM2.6 billion (S$879 million) being deposited into the prime minister’s private accounts, as well as financial issues surrounding 1MDB.
Mr Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing over 1MDB — a sovereign fund he set up in 2009 and served as chairman of its advisory board until 2016.
Dr Mahathir subsequently formed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and joined hands with the opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) pact to oust the premier.
Last month, PH announced Dr Mahathir as its PM-candidate.
But Mr Najib is still widely expected to win, thanks to a divided opposition, an upbeat economy and the redrawing of electoral boundaries that critics say favours the government, according to a survey published in December by independent polling firm Merdeka Centre.
Mr Najib on Friday urged the urged the recipients to pray for Malaysia’s wellbeing and for the country to remain prosperous in the years to come.
“Please keep this in mind — if the existing government remains in power, all of you will be able to perform the haj. Everything will remain unchanged as long as the government remains unchanged,” he said.
– AGENCIES
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