‘We still have until February 2028’, Pakatan sec-gen says as GE16 chatter grows

Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says there is no need to rush towards GE16 as the Anwar government still has many things it wants to complete before its term expires in February 2028. — Bernama pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Saturday, 12 Sep 2026 3:42 PM MYT

PEKAN, Sept 12 — Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today brushed aside calls for the 16th general election to be held earlier, saying the Madani government’s term only expires in February 2028.

Saifuddin Nasution was responding to questions from reporters after officiating the launch of the 2026 Madani Adopted Village and School by the Immigration Department at Sekolah Kebangsaan Nenasi here, national news agency Bernama reported.

“We still have until February 2028… there are many more things we can do by leveraging our position in the government, maintaining stability, managing the economy prudently and focusing on the welfare of the people,” he was quoted saying.

“More than a year is ample time for us to focus on fulfilling our responsibilities as leaders and safeguarding the people's welfare. In my view, that is more important,” he added.

Speculation over GE16’s timing has intensified in recent months, even though Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's administration is not required to call the polls until Parliament automatically dissolves in December 2027, with an election to follow within 60 days after that.

Anwar is from the same party and coalition as Saifuddin Nasution.

Political analysts have floated several possible windows for an early dissolution, including the final quarter of 2026 to align with a cluster of state elections in Melaka, Sarawak and Johor, or shortly after Budget 2027 is tabled.

Some observers have also linked the timing to internal coalition dynamics that could trigger a chain of events leading to dissolution as early as February 2027.

Anwar has previously signalled that Parliament could be dissolved earlier than scheduled if coalition partners act in ways that threaten political stability — a remark made after Umno and the Barisan Nasional coalition it leads decided to contest solo in all Johor seats during that state’s own polls.

The Election Commission has said it remains fully prepared for any early dissolution of state assemblies or a snap GE16, amid the persistent speculation.