GE during monsoon puts voters in a tough spot, says Nurul Izzah

 

Nurul Izzah Anwar accused Umno of prioritising power over the people’s welfare.

PETALING JAYA: Elections at the height of the monsoon would put voters between a rock and a hard place, as they are forced to choose between exercising their democratic right and their own lives, Nurul Izzah Anwar said.

She said hence, it was highly irresponsible of those in Umno to call for an election by this year when the final quarter of the year is known to be the wettest.

“Clearly, Umno doesn’t care about the people’s welfare and flood management. They are only concerned about securing power.

“With ongoing talks to serve out their full term, the decision to hold snap polls in the midst of MetMalaysia’s warnings of floods should be a reminder that Umno doesn’t deserve the opportunity to govern again.

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“To date, more than 14,500 signatures have been collected protesting the proposal for the general election to be held during this rainy season.

“It’s important to vote out irresponsible politicians,” she told FMT.

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said the decision by the Umno top five to press ahead for the polls appeared to usurp the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who had the sole power to dissolve or not to dissolve Parliament to pave the way for elections.

“Isn’t this treason against the monarchy?” he asked in a statement.

Loke said Umno, whose members number less than 20% in the Dewan Rakyat, shouldn’t be allowed to do as they wished.

“DAP will respect any decision made by the King on the matter under the Federal Constitution,” he said.

Gerakan president Dominic Lau said the King should deny Umno’s request to hold polls so as to save 10 million people from becoming victims of floods.

He said the cost of the election may double from RM1 billion to RM2 billion, as many states have vowed not to hold state elections concurrently with the parliamentary one.

“Our country has yet to recover from Covid-19 and this high expense could be used to help the rakyat and restore the economy first.

“We should focus on flood and disaster management, not holding a general election for the sake of power.

“The election should be deferred to September next year. It should not be held this year,” he said. - FMT