Penang UMNO prepared to face snap election - Zainal Abidin

He said as an opposition party in Penang, UMNO would step-up preparations by rolling out the party machinery in all constituencies and polling stations statewide.

"The (ruling party's) initial idea is to have a snap election, but we think it is no longer a snap election as we seem to have been notified in advance that a state election will be called.

"Thanks to the Chief Minister (Lim Guan Eng) for giving us an early notice... we will continue to prepare and be a strong opposition," he told a press conference after attending Penang UMNO's Aidilfitri do at the UMNO building in Jalan Macalister here Thursday.

Also present were the Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas, and state UMNO leaders.

Zainal Abidin said Lim seemed so desperate and in a hurry to dissolve the state assembly, that he had forgotten that the state government was formed with other parties in Pakatan Harapan, namely PKR and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).

"When he became aware that the partners in Pakatan Harapan were not convinced of the idea to dissolve the state assembly, only then did Lim postpone the dissolution, which almost happened Wednesday," he said.

He also questioned Lim's actions to hold state elections as the chief minister still had the full support of his party, DAP, and state assemblymen.

Zainal Abidin said if the election were to be called for personal reasons, Lim should really reconsider the plan as it would only burden the people, and affect the country's development.

"What if other states also decide to dissolve (their assemblies), on the basis of wanting to show their strength. If this happens, the country may see one, or two, or three state elections a year.

"The work of the government and development will be disrupted, the welfare of the people will be affected because political parties will be focused on those elections. It's not good for the country and the people," he said.