While the agenda of today’s Umno gathering was kept under wraps, three grassroots leaders who spoke to FMT after the meeting confirmed that the top five leadership had already decided on a date for GE15.

“But they are not going to tell us. They can’t disclose the date yet because they cannot be seen to preempt the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” said one source.

It is understood that this was revealed by both Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the meeting.

A division leader from Sabah said they were all in high spirits during the meeting, especially since the date for the election had been set.

“It has already been discussed by the top five but we have not been told when,” he added.

Meanwhile, a Youth wing chief from a division in Pahang also confirmed that the top Umno leaders already knew the election date, adding that he believed it would be “very soon”.

He personally hoped to see Parliament dissolved next week so as to give Umno time to prepare for GE15 to be held in November.

“Personally, I think the naming of the candidates should be early November and maybe GE15 will be in the middle of November.

“We are trying to have it before the end of November to avoid the floods,” he said.

On Friday, Umno leaders confirmed that the general election should be held this year, with Ismail given discretion on proposing a date to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the dissolution of Parliament.

We are live on Telegram, subscribe here for breaking news and the latest announcements.