Najib said he will call for a general election only when his mandate expires in 2018. ― Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he will call for a general election only when his mandate expires in 2018.

Local daily Utusan Malaysia reported the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman as saying that Malaysia’s democratic system gives citizens a chance to decide their government once every five years through the ballot box.

“The coming election will be held when the term is over in 2018, so until then, we will continue with our positions and agenda,” Najib was quoted saying in a dialogue with American fund managers in New York yesterday.

BN retained power in Election 2013, but lost the popular vote.

BN lynchpin Umno has since been rocked with internal conflict, with Najib’s predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad calling for his resignation over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) controversy, among other issues.

The recent Bersih 4 rally also saw tens of thousands demonstrating for Najib’s resignation.