The former opposition leader said the bloc’s machinery was prepared for an early GE16 at “any time”, Utusan Malaysia reported.

Hamzah also said the opposition was unfazed by speculation of a snap election, adding that its focus was on going to the ground and holding programmes at the grassroots level.

“When (the government) announces Parliament’s dissolution, we will show how prepared we are to face GE16,” the former Bersatu deputy president added.

He also played down the recent return of 6,252 former leaders to Umno, including former minister Khairy Jamaluddin, saying this would not guarantee support at the polls.

“If it’s true, good for them. But we must remember that the number of voters out there is far greater than that number,” said Hamzah, who left Umno for Bersatu in February 2019.

The opposition bloc has been leaderless since Hamzah’s resignation as its chief earlier this month. PAS, which currently chairs Perikatan Nasional, is set to take over the post but has yet to name a successor.

Hamzah’s resignation followed his sacking from Bersatu in February.