Anwar urges government to complete term, rejects early election calls

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for all parties to allow the government to serve its full term, prioritizing economic growth and political stability over premature elections. He rejected demands for an early 16th General Election (GE16), stating that the public desires the government to focus on national administration rather than being caught in continuous political maneuvering and campaigning.

"Give us time based on the mandate given until the election arrives. After that, we can compete fiercely. I have no problem with that," Anwar stated during a Minister's Question Time session in the Dewan Rakyat. He was responding to a question about whether a snap election should be considered due to regional geopolitical tensions and domestic political developments.

The current parliamentary term can extend until February 2028 unless dissolved earlier. However, speculation about an earlier GE16 has intensified amid political tensions within the unity government. These rumors gained traction after Barisan Nasional (BN), a key partner in Anwar's federal government, secured a significant victory in the Johor state elections, winning 48 out of 56 State Legislative Assembly seats, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) secured eight seats.