Hold the polls, Najib told

The prime minister is not doing himself or BN any favours if he continues to drag the election to next year, says the Penang Malay Congress.

GEORGE TOWN: A NGO here has called on Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to hold the much anticipated general election by this year as the people are getting restless.

Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak said Malaysians have been in election mode since 2010 and each day, the common question posed among both allies and rivals is the date of the election.

He added that Najib is not doing himself, or Barisan Nasional (BN) any favours, if he continued to drag the election to next year.

The voters have been fed a high dosage of issues as well as policies besides financial incentives, legislation amendments and character assassination from both BN and Pakatan Rakyat since 2008.

Rahmad said they know who they wanted and are also fed up with the constant politicking which has enveloped the country since 2008.

“The time for action is now. Do not delay any longer.

“If the election is held next year, people may just lose interest and the voter turnout may be poor. The next election is crucial for the country’s direction in the 21st century,” he said.

Rahmad wanted a high voter participation as the election is perceived to be the most important for the future of both BN and Pakatan.

By most accounts, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has also stated that this would be his last election and it is likely to also be the last hurrah for the pre-Independance generation of Malaysian leaders.

Rahmad believes that 70% of the electorate in Malaysia have made up their minds about who they wanted as the government in either federal or state levels.

Justice would be served if the election is held now so the same 70% of the electorate can go about with their lives instead of having to wait ceaselessly, he added.

PAS wants it this year

PAS central committee member Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa echoed the views of Rahmad, saying this was the precise reason why Pakatan wanted Najib to announce the date early.

If Pakatan is voted to power to the federal level, the alliance would ensure that an early election date becomes mandatory.

Mujahid said the date of an election should not be the privy of just the prime minister as it is a sign of abuse.

“We are now living in the age of transparency. People want to know everything or anything, which is why the online social media networks are generating a lot of interest. Najib cannot be keeping secrets.”

According to Mujahid, a pre-announced election date would also enable politicians to serve their respective communities well.

They can plan out their agenda and, governments can execute their policies effectively as a due date on their effort would be imposed by the way of an early election date, he said.

Now, the date is only determine when BN is either strong or weak, Mujahid said, adding that political parties must realise that the people must be empowered to decide the country’s fate, not politicians.

It is pointless governing a country when the people no longer respect its leaders, Mujahid said, adding that this may eventually led to chaos and mutiny.

Therefore, it is best for Najib to reveal the date of an election so everybody can work towards it, he added.

The winner or loser would be determined by the people like in any democratic system, he stressed.

Politicians, he said, do not determine who wins, it is the people.