JOHOR BARU: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has given an indication that the 15th general election (GE15) could be held at the end of the year.
Johor Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) committee member Datuk Osman Sapian, who is also former Johor menteri besar, said this was stated by the Bersatu president, who is also the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, during the party's state-level online meeting on June 16.
"The meeting, chaired by the party president, touched on many current issues including GE15 and the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It (GE15) could be held in September or October. If you think about it, it makes sense as the national budget is usually tabled in Parliament in October.
"If Parliament does not convene, the nation's funds won't be there so what is important here is to get the Budget approved," he said.
Meanwhile, Johor Bersatu deputy chairman, Senator Md Nasir Hashim, when contacted, said the party president discussed many issues in the meeting, including on Covid-19 as well as preparations for GE15.
"The party president asked that preparations be made for GE15, which could be held either at the end of the year or early next year.
"The president wishes to help the economy recover first, especially the lives of the people, with a reduction of Covid-19 cases and 60 t0 80 per cent of the people vaccinated before GE15 happens.
"Based on previous reports, the authorities had targeted achieving herd immunity by October or November, and this is a key indication of when GE15 can be held," he said.
Osman, who is also Ayer Hitam Bersatu chief and Kempas assemblyman, said discussions in the meeting also touched on GE15 preparations.
"This includes mobilising the operation centres in the divisions because if GE15 is to take place at the end of the year, preparations have to begin now," he said.
He said the Johor PN meeting was also held online last Thursday, attended by all component party representatives including Pas and Gerakan.
"Tan Sri Muhyiddin gave an indication that PN will contest all 56 state seats in Johor as well as 26 parliamentary seats.
"The issue of division of seats or areas was raised but it needs to be discussed in greater detail after this," he said.