Umno wants to force GE by October, says Rafizi
B Nantha Kumar
Published: May 2, 2026 8:00 PM
Updated: 10:00 PM
Force a general election by October - that is the ultimate aim of the crisis triggered by Negeri Sembilan Umno, according to PKR ex-deputy president Rafizi Ramli, as his colleagues in Pakatan Harapan continue to reel from the episode last week.
“The controversy in Negeri Sembilan is Umno’s grand strategy to build a wave of support similar to what happened in the previous Malacca and Johor state elections,” he said, referring to the victories BN chalked up in those polls that took place in 2021 and 2022.
“The aim is to force Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to dissolve Parliament and hold a general election,” he speculated in the latest episode of his podcast “Yang Berhenti Menteri”.
“Using the same strategy now, (they want to) build a big wave. That will force Anwar to hold an early general election, and Umno will mop up seats all over Malaysia.
“The plan involves holding the election in October together with polls in Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, and Johor,” Rafizi said.
Umno’s top leadership has made it clear that it has not supported a postponement of the Johor and Malacca state polls, which have to be called by early next year. The federal government’s term, however, only ends in December 2027.
Published: May 2, 2026 8:00 PM
Updated: 10:00 PM
Force a general election by October - that is the ultimate aim of the crisis triggered by Negeri Sembilan Umno, according to PKR ex-deputy president Rafizi Ramli, as his colleagues in Pakatan Harapan continue to reel from the episode last week.
“The controversy in Negeri Sembilan is Umno’s grand strategy to build a wave of support similar to what happened in the previous Malacca and Johor state elections,” he said, referring to the victories BN chalked up in those polls that took place in 2021 and 2022.
“The aim is to force Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to dissolve Parliament and hold a general election,” he speculated in the latest episode of his podcast “Yang Berhenti Menteri”.
“Using the same strategy now, (they want to) build a big wave. That will force Anwar to hold an early general election, and Umno will mop up seats all over Malaysia.
“The plan involves holding the election in October together with polls in Negeri Sembilan, Malacca, and Johor,” Rafizi said.
Umno’s top leadership has made it clear that it has not supported a postponement of the Johor and Malacca state polls, which have to be called by early next year. The federal government’s term, however, only ends in December 2027.
Umno’s 80th anniversay convention today
Last week, Bloomberg reported that Anwar is allegedly in the early stages of considering holding a general election in the third quarter of this year.
Experts and some politicians, however, have suggested that the two state polls be postponed so that the federal government can focus on tackling economic pressures triggered by the US-Israel-Iran war.
Shows Umno’s true colours
Earlier this week, all 14 Negeri Sembilan Umno state lawmakers withdrew support from Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, who is from Harapan, after losing confidence in his leadership.
Led by Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias, the party, which is a partner with Harapan in the federal government, said it was willing to form a state government with opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional.
The move sparked anger among Harapan leaders and supporters who called on the coalition to review its ties with Umno.
Last week, Bloomberg reported that Anwar is allegedly in the early stages of considering holding a general election in the third quarter of this year.
Experts and some politicians, however, have suggested that the two state polls be postponed so that the federal government can focus on tackling economic pressures triggered by the US-Israel-Iran war.
Shows Umno’s true colours
Earlier this week, all 14 Negeri Sembilan Umno state lawmakers withdrew support from Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, who is from Harapan, after losing confidence in his leadership.
Led by Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Jalaluddin Alias, the party, which is a partner with Harapan in the federal government, said it was willing to form a state government with opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional.
The move sparked anger among Harapan leaders and supporters who called on the coalition to review its ties with Umno.
Negeri Sembilan Umno
Since then, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the party respects the stand taken by its Negeri Sembilan lawmakers, but that the party would still support the Madani administration led by Anwar, who is the Harapan chairperson.
Speaking on his podcast, Rafizi said the Negeri Sembilan gambit did not pay off and would tarnish Umno’s image, labelling it a “backdoor party”.
“The crisis reminds people of Umno’s true colours and the party’s internal issues. The move is premature and fails to take into consideration its long-term negative impacts”.
A backdoor party will be viewed negatively by progressive Malay voters and non-Malay voters, Rafizi said.
“Umno’s victories in Negeri Sembilan actually depended on non-Malay and Malay voters,” he added.
Speaking on his podcast, Rafizi said the Negeri Sembilan gambit did not pay off and would tarnish Umno’s image, labelling it a “backdoor party”.
“The crisis reminds people of Umno’s true colours and the party’s internal issues. The move is premature and fails to take into consideration its long-term negative impacts”.
A backdoor party will be viewed negatively by progressive Malay voters and non-Malay voters, Rafizi said.
“Umno’s victories in Negeri Sembilan actually depended on non-Malay and Malay voters,” he added.
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