Big win for BN in GE15 doesn’t mean Ismail Sabri stays as PM: analyst

[superadmin]

JOHOR BARU – A decisive win in Johor for Barisan Nasional (BN) does not necessarily cement a victory for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob should a general election be called later this year.

Even if BN secures a convincing win at the federal level, Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri may not be chosen to lead the country.

Universiti Malaya academic Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi said these calls from Umno for an early federal election is because the opposition is perceived to be in a weak position after major losses in Sarawak and Melaka.

Any delays, he said, could see the opposition getting its act together to pose a credible threat to BN.

“If BN has a general election at the end of the year or next year, the opposition’s position could strengthen.

“That’s why BN wants the election to happen as soon as possible,” Awang told The Vibes.

However, calls for a snap election is very much dependent on BN’s performance in Johor tomorrow.

If the results are not as favourable as BN expects, there is a possibility that Ismail Sabri will wait it out as the momentum is not as strong as during the Melaka polls.

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