Talk of early Sabah election mere speculation, says PM Najib

UMNO President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today dismissed as mere speculation the talk of an early state election in Sabah.

"We have not decided whether to hold the state election early. So, it is still speculation at this stage," the Prime Minister said to reporters after chairing a meeting of the UMNO Supreme Council at Menara Dato Onn here.

It has been reported that there is talk of Sabah calling the state election earlier than the 14th general election which is due only in June next year.

Asked whether the convening of UMNO branch and divisional meetings from March indicated that the general election may be called earlier, Najib said:

"This is normal. This year is a normal year because we have (the Muslim fasting month of) Ramadhan (from late May), Hari Raya (in late June) and the SEA Games (in the second half of August). So it's the best time to have these (UMNO) meetings." - BERNAMA