Early polls? UMNO Youth is ready - Asyraf Wajdi

UMNO Youth is currently making preparations in the event the general election is called in the near future.

UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the possibility of an early general election was clear after Pakatan Harapan (PH) continued to try to generate negative sentiment against Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's leadership.

"We can't avoid facing the general election, not because we want to. If possible, we want the COVID-19 issue to be completely resolved and better still until the current term (of Parliament) ends (but we are facing) persistent harassment and opposition calls, especially from PH to disrupt the stability of the government today.

"So, if the Prime Minister dissolves (Parliament) for no other choice, or to be dissolved due to a vote of no confidence, UMNO Youth will start mobilising our machinery across Malaysia," he added.

He said this when met by reporters after an UMNO Supreme Council (MT) meeting at Menara Dato Onn here last night.

A few days ago, the media reported that Muhyiddin did not rule out the possibility of calling a general election as early as the end of the year to legitimize the Perikatan Nasional government led by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

The report said Muhyiddin, who is also the president and acting chairman of Bersatu, had expressed his wish at a meeting of the party's Supreme Council on June 4.

Meanwhile, UMNO Supreme Council Member Tan Sri Annuar Musa said many things were discussed at the meeting, including preparations for the Chini by-election.

However, he confirmed that discussions on the GE were also held but only in general.

“We discussed it in general about the possibility of a snap election but that has not been an issue yet. That's all early speculation," he said.