KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 11): Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Friday called for the 16th general election (GE16) to be "expedited", saying the party wants to helm the federal government with fresh mandate rather than being a mere component of it.

Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, made the call as Umno is buoyed by Barisan Nasional's recent performances in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls.

“The time has come for the general election to be held now. This is not a demand. This is not a hope. This is what the people want. 

"Enough is enough, give us a chance too,” Zahid said in his presidential address at the Umno general assembly 2026.

Zahid then cited the Malay proverb “Alang-alang seluk pekasam, biar sampai ke pangkal lengan” — broadly meaning one should commit to a task and see it through. 

“Since we are already in this fight, we fight until...” he said, prompting thousands of delegates packed in Dewan Merdeka of the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur to roar out "Menang!” (Victory!)

Zahid makes this call amid strained relations between Umno and unity government partner Pakatan Harapan, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. However, he had previously said that Umno would support the government until the end of the term.  

GE16 would be a decisive election for Umno after spending the current term in the Anwar-led government, Zahid said. 

“The blue wave is not merely about making Umno a component in the government,” he said. 

“GE16 will be the defining point for us to regain the mandate to lead. We must embrace our other friends so that we can chart victory together. 

"Therefore, the time has come for GE16 to be expedited.”

Zahid cautioned that victories in Johor and Negeri Sembilan did not guarantee success at the national level.

He urged delegates and the party machinery to continue working towards returning Umno to Putrajaya. 

“Leadership is in Umno’s DNA, but victory does not simply fall onto our laps,” he said. 

“It must be backed by strategies and arrangements that understand the realities on the ground.”

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