Several factors in play as Malaysia PM Ismail Sabri mulls general election timing: Analysts

MIXED INDICATORS FROM UMNO FACTIONS

The particular programme director associated with think tank Merdeka Centre, Mr Ibrahim Suffian, said the timing of the common election was difficult to predict. This is because there was varying signals – one from the best minister and the individuals around him, plus another from the UMNO leadership.

“It’s quite clear that both sides of the party have different viewpoints, ” he told CNA.

“Originally, we noticed from the PM there are still a lot more things to be done, suggesting doubt on his part in order to call for election, ” he added.

In May, Mr Ismail Sabri said during an interview with Nikkei that he would await “the right time” to call a good election, given inflationary pressures partly stemming from the Ukraine conflict.

“We are actually facing a period associated with increasing inflation along with high prices… Do you think this is the right period? ” Mr Ismail Sabri reportedly stated.

Numerous UMNO ministers such as Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin as well as Marketing communications and Multimedia Ressortchef (umgangssprachlich) Annuar Musa also appear to hold the see that the election should be held later instead of sooner.

Mr Ismail Sabri, who may be one of three vice presidents in UMNO, became the prime minister in Aug a year ago. He is the first leading minister from UMNO who is not chief executive of the party.

Mr Ibrahim associated with Merdeka Centre declared that the prime minister has the strength of incumbency. Yet ultimately, the party president gets to choose the candidates for the election, he additional.

“For the particular PM, while he’s incumbency and executive powers, he may not need to be in conflict or direct confrontation using the party because this might split the party and affect their candidacy as long term prime minister should BN win the election.

“At the end of the day, they have to go back to the party to implement the principles or goals set by the party because he is nominated simply by them. Ultimately that’s how the chips drop, ” said Mr Ibrahim.

Within April, UMNO’s supreme council had suggested Mr Ismail Sabri as their candidate with regard to prime minister in the event that BN wins the general election. Observers considered that it was one way of successful over the prime minister’s supporters and getting them to agree to an early election.

Mr Ibrahim also noted there has been talk recently suggesting that the tabling of next year’s budget may be introduced forward and that the best minister may melt parliament soon after it really is tabled.

“That probably will bring the political election closer towards the end of the year. Oct or even November is really a possibility, ” he said.

Politics analyst Professor Azizuddin Mohd Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) said you can find two teams within BN now – one backing Mister Ismail Sabri as well as the other backing Ahmad Zahid.

“The one holding the ability in BN or UMNO is team Zahid. He can perform many things, ” this individual said, pointing towards the removal of Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Rahman as UMNO best council member lately.

He however said that BN would want to avoid a split in the party as this would cost all of them in the general election.

Mister Tajuddin, who is furthermore Malaysia’s ambassador-designate to Indonesia, is considered to be aligned with the best minister.