Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has predicted that Malaysia could head for an early general election if the PN-Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance secures victory in the Melaka state polls this Saturday.
The PAS vice-president said a win for the two coalitions could trigger further political developments and increase pressure on Pakatan Harapan (PH), led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Although he did not elaborate on what those developments might involve, Samsuri said he would not be surprised if Parliament was dissolved before completing its full term.
“I would not be surprised if Parliament were dissolved before the end of its term,” he said during an appearance on the Kekal Tenang podcast.
Samsuri, who is also Terengganu Menteri Besar, urged PN’s election machinery to remain prepared for the 16th General Election (GE16), warning that it could be called at any time.
“Brace for impact,” he added.
GE16 is constitutionally due by early 2028 if Parliament serves its full term. However, opposition leader and Wawasan president Hamzah Zainudin had previously predicted that Anwar could call for a general election by August next year.
For the Melaka election, BN and PN are working together, with BN contesting 23 seats and PN fielding candidates in the remaining five.
BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has also said PN would be invited to join the Melaka state government if the alliance wins.
Separately, Samsuri criticised Anwar’s appeal for Melaka voters to choose candidates with direct access to the Prime Minister’s Office, describing it as an outdated election tactic.
He argued that such political connections might not remain relevant after GE16, as there was no guarantee Anwar would continue as prime minister.
He also questioned the value of having direct access to Putrajaya if an elected representative ended up isolated in the Melaka state assembly.
“There is no need for such an argument. That is an argument from the 1980s,” he said.
Instead, Samsuri urged voters to assess candidates based on their plans to govern and address the state’s problems.
Last Thursday, Anwar called on Melaka voters to elect candidates who had a “direct line” to the Prime Minister’s Office, arguing that such access would help them resolve local issues and secure development projects.
He cited PH candidates Azman Abidin in Paya Rumput and Farzana Hayani Nasir in Kelebang as examples.
Farzana previously served as an officer in the Prime Minister’s Office, while Azman is Anwar’s political secretary and a PKR leader.
