Malaysia May Hold GE15 In November As Election Day Guessing Game Continues

Electoral watchdog Bersih has caled on Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri to show leadership and lay out reform plans for the remainder of his term that expires in July 2023, if he is unable to decide on when to call the next general election.

• Malaysia's next general election (GE15) needs to take place by 14 September 2023 but ongoing frictions within the ruling coalition have raised the odds for a snap poll, possibly by the end of this year.
• PM Ismail Sabri has so far resisted rushing into an early election, presumably fearing that he could be replaced as head of government. Despite serving as Malaysia's PM as a result of a deal with UMNO's coalition partners, he is only third in the party's formal pecking order.
• Sources told Malaysiakini that PM Ismail Sabri intends to hold the election this November. If the country is hit by a major flood like in recent years, it could be postponed until March 2023.