PETALING JAYA - Umno's optimism that the general election will be held this year was buoyed by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's speech that touched on the dissolution of Parliament in the near future, said Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan.

"Umno is confident that GE15 will be held between October and December this year. But it has to be before the flood.

"If floods are expected in December, don't hold (GE15) then.

"The polls can also be held in November. If the election is in November, it means that (the Parliament) has to be dissolved in October," he said on Sunday, as reported by Malay daily Sinar Harian.

On Saturday, Datuk Seri Ismail hinted that GE15 would be held as soon as possible during his speech at the launch of the Barisan Youth machinery in Kuala Lumpur, The Star reported.

He is also reported to have repeated his stance and promised to immediately discuss with the party's "top five" about the dissolution of Parliament.

The five refers to its president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and the three vice-presidents - Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Mr Ismail Sabri himself.

Datuk Ahmad Maslan also confirmed that the "top five" meeting on Sept 30 would go on as scheduled.

There has been widespread circulation on Malaysian social media that the government will dissolve Parliament on Oct 14 and that GE15 will be held on Nov 27 with nomination day on Nov 12.

This year's Association of South-east Asian Nations summit will be held in Cambodia on Nov 10 to 13 while the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit is scheduled for Nov 18 in Bangkok.

Malaysian premiers have always viewed these two summits as important diplomatic events and will attend them personally. Hence, some observers are sceptical about the speculated GE15 dates, Lianhe Zaobao reported.

Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) said it will organise a petition to voice its objection to the possibility of GE15 being held during the monsoon season.

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said the move was to demonstrate the public's displeasure with Umno over the willingness to risk holding elections when there is a danger of annual floods at the end of the year, The New Straits Times reported.

The online petition, to be held in a week from now, will seek to urge the Federal Government to instead focus on preparing the country for the floods.

"Recent flood tragedies, which have caused loss of property and lives, should serve as a lesson to political parties to not disregard issues of climate change.

"If politicians like Zahid still refuse to heed the lessons, it is only fair that we educate Umno and its leadership on the importance of prioritising the needs of the people," he said in a statement.

He said Zahid was out of touch with the reality faced by people when he said on Saturday that Barisan Nasional was willing to brave the floods if GE15 was called.

In response, Zahid said former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad called for an election during the monsoon season in 1999. 

Zahid said the Opposition is trying to incite the public by saying that holding snap polls towards the end of the year will expose them to the risk of floods.

"They (critics) have forgotten that... Dr Mahathir had called for an election in November 1999, but that did not become a big issue," he said in a Facebook post on Monday.

Budget 2000 was tabled in Parliament on Oct 29, 1999 by then finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, but Parliament was dissolved on Nov 10 before it could be passed.

Here are key events that may influence when Malaysians vote for a new government.

2022

September

Possible window for election.

Sept 23

The Kuala Lumpur High Court is to deliver its decision on whether Umno president Zahid Hamidi will be acquitted or ordered to enter his defence on accepting bribes in his official capacity as then Home Minister from a company to extend its foreign visa system contract.

October

The government is scheduled to table its Budget 2023 on Oct 7, with debates in Parliament usually taking over a month to complete. Voter-friendly measures and cash handouts are often announced by the ruling party in a budget ahead of an election and could be a game changer this time round given that inflation is expected to continue soaring this year.

November

Possible window for election, subject to the budget.

Nov 10

The final trial date currently set to hear Zahid Hamidi's defence in a corruption case involving his charitable foundation. A conviction will likely force a reshuffle of the party leadership.

2023

December to January

Year-end floods on Malaysia's east coast make this an unlikely period to hold national polls. Chinese New Year also falls at the end of January.

February to March

Possible window for election.

March 22 to April

The Muslim fasting month is expected to start on this date before Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls at the end of April, with festivities usually carrying on for a month.

End-May to mid-June

Possible window for election.

June 29

Hari Raya Haji is another important festival for Muslims. It is unlikely that polls will be held close to this public holiday.

July 16

Parliament automatically dissolves.