We're ready for GE15 - Zahid says after Najib meet

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has signalled his party's readiness to face the 15th general election, amid a climate of political instability.

This is after he received an entourage headed by former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak at his home last night.

"We are ready for GE15. Are you ready to be with us?" he posted on Facebook this morning.

Zahid's remarks came amid an ongoing tussle for Putrajaya, with Pakatan Harapan, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and Warisan claiming to have enough of a majority to wrest power back from Perikatan Nasional.

PN had seized power in March after Muhyiddin Yassin took Bersatu out of Harapan to form a new alliance with Umno, BN, and PAS, with support from GPS.

Commenting on Zahid's post, Bersatu supreme council member A Kadir Jasin questioned if it meant Umno was planning to trigger snap polls.

"Is Umno-BN ready to topple the Malay-Muslim PN led by Muhyiddin to force GE15 to be held earlier?

"Or are the two of them foreshadowing and assuring their supporters that they would be freed of their criminal cases in court?" Kadir (photo) said.

Both Zahid and Najib are on trial for corruption and money laundering charges.

Snap polls could be a possibility if either the Harapan pact or Umno-PAS moves against Muhyiddin to mark the second time the government has lost its majority in four months.

If Muhyiddin loses the majority he must resign if the Agong does not consent for Parliament to be dissolved.

Mahathir, who is battling Muhyiddin for control over Bersatu, has said that the party will face its demise in the next general election if it doesn't return to Harapan.

This is as it is unlikely that Umno and PAS would give up seats for Bersatu to contest.

Kadir said Muhyiddin had already put Umno and PAS in a position to determine the fate of the PN government by appointing them to key positions such as ministers and GLC chairs.

"In simple terms, Muhyiddin and his faction in Bersatu's survival hinge on Umno and PAS. Can Muhyiddin's Bersatu faction fight Harapan and Muafakat Nasional (Umno-PAS) in the next general election?" he said. - Mkini