UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for the 16th General Election (GE16) to be held “immediately” while addressing a large gathering of party members at the UMNO 2026 general assembly in Malaysia on Friday, September 11th. During his speech, Zahid also made what were described as veiled criticisms directed toward Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The UMNO chief’s remarks suggest a desire for a swift return to the polls, potentially driven by internal party dynamics or a perceived advantageous moment. He further indicated the possibility of forging new political agreements with other parties, hinting at shifts in the existing political landscape. This move could signal UMNO’s ambitions to strengthen its position or seek new coalitions ahead of the upcoming election. Details regarding the timing and specific parties involved in these potential understandings remain unclear. The assembly demonstrates UMNO’s continued activity within the Malaysian political sphere.