Holding polls this year too big a gamble for Najib, claims Rafizi

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli believes that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak would not dissolve Parliament this year to pave the way for the 14th general election.

“The likelihood is that... I don't think Najib will call for elections this year because that is too big a gamble for him,” he told reporters at the Invoke headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Rafizi's prediction was based on the results of a survey on voter sentiments regarding the economy, cost of living and inflation.

One of the survey's findings was that 59 percent of the 3,783 respondents were of the opinion that the economy was headed in the wrong direction.

Meanwhile, 65 percent of the respondents believe their family’s financial situation was worse off now compared to four years ago.

Rafizi said this showed that many were dissatisfied with the manner in which the Najib administration was managing the economy.

As such, he pointed out the prime minister would want to fix the economy before holding the general election.

“Solving these issues regarding the sentiments towards the economy is expected to take a longer time than the three to four months left in this year,” he added.

He explained further that Najib will probably only call for elections after the Budget 2018 announcement in October, which means that the earliest possible date would be in November.

“If he were to call (for elections) in November, he only has two months to fix things.

“If elections are called in November, it is a very big gamble. I do not think Najib is known for taking too big a risk,” he said.

The survey, which was done from June 10 to July 14, asked respondents ten questions related to their sentiments about the economy, inflation of goods as well as questions about their income and cost of living.

When asked whether they expect their economic situation to improve next year, only 36 percent of the respondents agreed, while 64 percent said it will become worse.

The survey also revealed that 19 percent of respondents spent over 70 percent of their monthly salary to pay their house and car loans.

Meanwhile, 17 percent of respondents said that their monthly household income is not enough to cover their monthly household expense, with 23 percent saying the opposite.

“At a time when the rakyat’s economic issues will decide their choice of the party (to vote for), such negative sentiments portray GE14 results will not be favourable to BN,” Rafizi said. - Mkini