Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged political parties to put discussions over who could become prime minister after the 16th General Election (GE16) on hold, saying the immediate priority should be the upcoming Melaka state election.
The Umno president said it was premature to discuss or name potential candidates for the country’s top post as the timing of Parliament’s dissolution and the next general election remains uncertain.
“It is too early to put forward someone or a particular figure to hold that position because the election could still be far away or it could be otherwise.
“We do not know when Parliament will be dissolved. I think it is better that we put that aside for now and focus on facing the Melaka state election,” he was quoted as saying by Harian Metro.
Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, made the remarks after officiating the closing of the 2026 National Orang Asli Sports Carnival at the EduCity Sports Complex here today.
He said political attention should remain centred on the Melaka election before parties turn their focus to federal-level political matters.
On political cooperation for the Melaka polls, Zahid said any decision would only be made after the Melaka Legislative Assembly is dissolved.
His comments came after PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party already had a potential prime ministerial candidate among its leaders for GE16, although he stressed that it was not yet time to reveal the individual.
Hadi made the remarks during PAS’ annual congress in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, last Friday.
