Get machinery ready for GE14, Najib tells Umno delegates

PETALING JAYA: Two tweets from Prime Minister Najib Razak last night have given rise to speculation on the timing of the next general election (GE14).

With UMNO delegates across the country starting to meet over the next two months, Najib first sent out a tweet stating: “All the best to all those taking part in the Umno Delegates Meeting which will begin from tomorrow (Jul 7) to August 26.”.

However, the follow up message sent a stronger signal of the impending polls.

“Strengthen the bonds and rise together to prepare the machinery and line up strategies in preparation of the 14th General Election.” 

The prime minister has been coy on the timing of the election, but speculation is rife that he may call for it later this year rather than wait for the full term of the current parliament. 

The term of the current Parliament lapses on June 24, 2018, and the polls must be called within two months, but the prime minister has the prerogative to dissolve Parliament earlier. 

Analysts have put the date for GE14 from anywhere between September this year to next March, while ruling out specific months due to Chinese New Year and also taking into account the long year-end school holidays.