Two important meetings lined-up as talk of impending GE hots up

KUALA LUMPUR: Since talk of an impending general election (GE) gathers momentum, two important political meetings have been lined up.

The Umno supreme council will meet up with Thursday (Aug 4) night at the party headquarters in World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.

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The Barisan Nasional supreme authorities is also scheduled to fulfill next month, but to start a date has yet to be fixed.

Top Barisan component leaders have already stepped up their election machinery over the last month.

Last week, the Selangor BN convention happened where Finance Minister Datuk Tengku Zafrul Aziz was named as the state Umno treasurer.

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He is furthermore speculated to contest the Kuala Selangor parliamentary seat.

Sources said whilst Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has remained coy over the GENERAL ELECTRIC, the momentum has already been felt.

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“Let’s just say the particular drum beat will be finally heard right after months of rumours and debate over whether it should be this year or next year, ” said an older Umno leader.

Ismail will have the ultimate say over when the GE will be called, but it is dependably learnt that Umno leaders have persuaded him of the have to have the polls simply by this year.

The focus will be on Tengku Zafrul, who is planned to table their Budget on the last week of October.

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But political analysts said the Budget could be tabled previously as long as the Dewan Rakyat Speaker had been notified appropriately.

Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has already started a nationwide visit to meet the various Barisan leaders.

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“The window period to call for GE can be tight as the raining season starts in November and December.

“If it doesn’t happen, the following option is after Chinese New Calendar year in January, yet this is just a guessing game of politicians and the media.

“As far since Umno is concerned, we are preparing with year end in mind, ” said an Umno strategist.

It is expected that candidate selection day will be a 30 days after Parliament is dissolved.