Anwar’s Dilemma: to hold GE 16 in 2026 or 2027?
Kuala Lumpur: Although Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s tenure as PM would only end in November 2027, pressure is mounting on him to hold the Melaka and Johor state elections together with the Parliamentary elections. The Malacca state assembly is due to be dissolved by December 2026, and the Johor state assembly will be dissolved in January 2027.
Recently, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has called on Anwar to pressure him hold joint polls, citing various reasons. If Anwar decides in favour of Anthony Loke, he would be losing one year of his precious premiership.
Anwar’s popularity is dwindling, and his recent statements on Hindu temples have seen backlash from Hindu groups and NGOs. However, the opposition is also in a disarray, with Bersatu divided into two groups. It may take several months for the opposition parties to resolve their differences and re-group under one umbrella. It is also unclear whether that umbrella will be Perikatan Nasional (PN) again or something else.
Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri’s appointment as PN chief will also not attract non-Muslim voters, as he is from PAS. Therefore, with mounting pressure from DAP and a changing political scenario within opposition parties, will Anwar Ibrahim call for an early general election?
