Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he will summon Pakatan Harapan leaders soon to discuss the possibility of a snap general election.
He indicated that the move is partly motivated by BN's decision to clash with Harapan in Johor.
In his speech at the Harapan convention in Johor Bahru today, Anwar said he had been very patient with those who have been criticising him vehemently, and that kindness would have been repaid in kind.
"But if you choose to fight, what choice do I have? I will call Harapan leaders to discuss - not just at the states, but we must think seriously.
"If this is the way we are belittled, the relationship in the government fractured, maybe we will choose to hold a general election for the whole country," he said.
The Harapan chairperson added that a decision on when to hold a snap election would be his, but that he is seeking feedback from his allies.
Anwar also indicated that Harapan will contest all seats in any state where BN chooses to do so, including Selangor, Penang, and Pahang.
Yesterday, Johor BN chairperson Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced that his coalition will go solo in the upcoming state election, after consulting the Umno leadership.
This effectively put an end to any discussion of a cooperation between Umno and Harapan for the polls.
Negeri Sembilan royal dispute
The move drew ire of DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who said any dissolution of the Johor state assembly by BN would be greeted with a similar one in Negeri Sembilan.
Negeri Sembilan is embroiled in a royal dispute involving territorial chieftains, who earlier this month dragged the state government to court.
This was further complicated by all 14 Umno state assemblypersons withdrawing their support for Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun.
However, 12 of them later welcomed the party leadership's decision for them to remain part of the coalition government in the state.
Former PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli had claimed that Umno's move in Negeri Sembilan was meant to force a general election by October.
The latest development in Johor is merely the most recent exposure of the cracks in the alliance between Harapan and BN.
BN and Harapan had agreed to work together after the 2022 general election, which resulted in a hung parliament - the first in Malaysia's history.
After a five-day stalemate, the former rivals joined forces to form a unity government, with BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi saying the choice was made based on which alliance would bring his coalition the least harm in the long run. - Mkini
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