PN not ‘avoiding’ elections, says Kelantan deputy MB

 

Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah has shot down calls for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to resign.

He has also denied claims that Perikatan Nasional (PN) is trying to “avoid” holding a general election.

Speaking to the New Straits Times, the Panchor PAS state assemblyperson opined that polls are not suitable now due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Calling the PM (prime minister) to step down or urging the government to hold a general election is not the right thing to do with the coronavirus outbreak still present in our country.

“It is not that the PM does not want to call for GE (general election) and he had, on several occasions, voiced out the desire for the mandate to be renewed by the people.

“However, the problem is that it (general election) could not be done during the pandemic period,” he was quoted as saying yesterday.

Back in January when he announced the emergency, Muhyiddin said all elections were suspended until an independent committee “affirmed that the pandemic had subsided”.

“It will then be up to the people to choose the government that they think is deserving to take care of their welfare. That is my commitment and pledge which I will fulfil, God willing,” the prime minister said at the time.

Polls once 80pct jabbed

Meanwhile, Amar proposed that polls be held after 80 percent of the population is inoculated against Covid-19.

"It is not that the government is trying to avoid (holding a general election) but the government wants to ensure the country, as well as its people, are secure.

"If possible, let the government finish ensuring 80 percent of the population received the vaccine jabs,” he reportedly said.

Both Umno and opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan have urged Muhyiddin to resign.

Earlier this month, the Umno supreme council withdrew support for the prime minister and said he ought to step aside.

The party has 38 MPs, many of whom have government posts. It is unclear how many will heed their party's supreme council decision.

Harapan has similarly called Muhyiddin to take responsibility for the worsening Covid-19 situation and quit.

It also maintained that the Bersatu president had lost his majority in the Dewan Rakyat following Umno’s move against him. - Mkini