Malaysia PM Anwar rules out snap election after Johor assembly dissolved

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his government will not call a snap general election, stressing that its priority is to fulfil its governing responsibilities rather than focus on the timing of the 16th General Election. He made the statement after the Johor state assembly was dissolved on 1 June, which triggers a state election for all 56 seats.

Anwar noted that the decision to dissolve the Johor assembly was made by the Barisan Nasional coalition in the state, and that his coalition partners in Pakatan Harapan will contest every seat alongside the opposition Perikatan Nasional. He acknowledged rising tensions within the unity government after UMNO announced it would contest all seats in Johor, but insisted the central government’s work comes first. Critics have labeled his stance a reversal of a previous promise to consider an early election if coalition strains intensified.

The development follows recent political moves, including the resignation of two former ministers from Anwar’s party and their joining another party, adding to the pressure on the ruling coalition ahead of the state polls.