The wing said its political bureau, which met today to discuss current political developments, concluded that the 16th general election, as well as state elections in Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Pahang, could be called in the “near future”.

“In response, Bersatu Youth will intensify efforts to prepare its young leaders and develop a more effective and capable election machinery,” it said in a statement.

Bersatu Youth said it is assessing 15 parliamentary constituencies and 32 state seats across Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Pahang as potential areas to field young candidates.

It also said its political bureau has agreed to restructure its state leadership, appoint three new members to its central committee to fill vacancies, and expand representation within the bureau.

The bureau has also decided to decentralise its training camps, with future sessions to be conducted at the state level in targeted areas to better prepare grassroots machinery.

The 16th general election is due by February 2028, but speculation persists that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim could call for an early election, possibly in the second half of 2026, potentially aligning it with the Melaka and Johor state polls.

Melaka’s state assembly term ends in December, while Johor’s runs until April 2027.

On Sunday, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it was highly likely the coalition would contest the 16th general election on its own, although with agreements with other parties to avoid multi-cornered contests.

On April 27, BN assemblymen in Negeri Sembilan triggered a political crisis by withdrawing support for menteri besar Aminuddin Harun and claiming to have the numbers to form a new state government with PN’s backing.

The crisis appears to have been resolved after talks between top PH and BN leaders, with Umno continuing to back the state government despite its state chapter insisting it has lost confidence in Aminuddin.

PH organised a mega ceramah in Paroi, Seremban, on Wednesday, where several component leaders took aim at Umno while some attendees chanted “Tolak Umno” (reject Umno).

Top leaders such as Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook, however, were more restrained, expressing support for Aminuddin and condemning any attempt to form backdoor governments.