UMNO Leader Urges Immediate GE16, Criticizes PM Anwar’s Leadership

UMNO chief Zahid calls for immediate GE16 and criticizes PM Anwar's policies in a strong speech at party assembly.

September 12, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called for the immediate holding of Malaysia’s next general election (GE16), urging the party to take decisive action to reclaim political leadership. His remarks came during a major party assembly on September 11, 2026.

Zahid addressed thousands of UMNO members at the event, where he also made veiled criticisms of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He highlighted the need for UMNO to move forward with a stronger strategy, suggesting that current government policies were not meeting public expectations. The speech emphasized the importance of uniting Malay voters under a broader coalition.

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The leader pointed to recent state elections as evidence of UMNO’s growing influence, particularly after forming an alliance with the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN). He criticized what he described as indecision in key areas like taxation, calling for a return to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system. While Anwar has suggested a more progressive tax model, Zahid argued that hybrid systems were not viable.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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