“If BN is ready, I will not delay dissolving Parliament for even one second,” he told delegates at the Barisan Nasional Convention here.

He added that he would discuss with Umno’s top leadership and BN leaders about the election date.

This comes just days after he said in an interview with Japan’s Nikkei Asia that GE15 – which only needs to be called by September 2023 – would have to be pushed back due to rising cost of living and inflation.

Ismail said that to head into GE15, BN must first strive to achieve a first-class work culture that prioritises teamwork, discipline and loyalty to the party.

He also said BN must win the hearts of the people and devise a winning strategy for GE15 that focuses on strengthening its machinery amongst component parties.

Speaking after Ismail, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that he would discuss the date of GE15 with the prime minister.

“While there are those who want certainty on the date of the next general election, let me and the prime minister discuss the best time for us to head into GE15,” he said.

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