PM promises GE15 by July 2022, won't allow 'kleptocrats' to rule

 

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has pledged that the 15th general election (GE15) will be called no later than July next year.

Under pressure to prove the legitimacy of his Perikatan Nasional (PN) government, Muhyiddin, who reached out for bi-partisan support through a list of promised reforms, also took a swipe at his detractors.

"My reason for these proposals is to allow the government to function during the pandemic with bi-partisan support in Parliament.

"At the same time, I, just like all of you, have a duty not to allow the group of 'kleptocrats' to rule if this political conflict is not urgently resolved," he said in a televised address from Putrajaya accompanied by his cabinet members.

In the meantime, Muhyiddin said all MPs will be given equal allocations to serve their constituents.

"For opposition MPs, the allocation for this year will be prorated according to the remaining months," he added.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and members of his cabinet

Muhyiddin said Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz had reached out to stakeholders including opposition leaders for input on improvements to the National Recovery Plan.

Based on the discussions, the premier said the government will table a motion in Parliament to raise the ceiling of the Covid-19 fund by RM45 billion to RM110 billion.

He also promised that RM10 billion in cash aid will be channelled to 11 million recipients in the second quarter of this year and continued to next year.

The 14th general election was called in May 2018 for a five-year term, and it's due to expire in May 2023.

The legitimacy of the PN government had repeatedly come into question as it was formed through defections of MPs from the previous Pakatan Harapan administration. 

 - Mkini