Opposition reps pour scorn on Zahid over holding GE during monsoon

Members of the opposition today criticised Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for his insistence on holding the 15th general election at the end of the year when the nation may potentially face floods.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang noted that despite the bravado in the Umno man’s statement, Zahid (above) did not say what Umno leaders were going to do if flood waters were too high for them to wade through.

“Zahid’s desperation to have the GE15 is so blatant that he is oblivious of the massive damage and lives lost caused by the monsoon and floods,” he said.

The Iskandar Puteri MP claimed that Malaysia suffered “colossal losses” of up to RM6.5 billion last year as a result of the floods which hit several parts of the country - with 54 lives lost.

“Isn’t the responsibility of a government, especially one sloganeering Keluarga Malaysia, to give priority to reduce the losses and casualties which could be caused by the monsoon and the floods this year, (rather) than to hold an early general election?

“I will say that the proposed holding of GE15 when there is monsoon and massive flood disasters will be a valid and proper reason for the Yang di Pertuan Agong to refuse dissolution of Parliament unless there is a vote on a motion of no-confidence in the prime minister,” he said.

He added that such a move would open up a “vista of various possibilities” which could exclude holding the general election at the end of the year.

Prepared to take responsibility?

Kit Siang’s views were echoed by Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, who rebuffed Zahid’s claim that Pakatan Harapan does not need the general election to be held next year “to continue discrediting BN”.

“Based on the experience last year, people are able to assess the BN/PN government’s response to the massive floods affecting people in the country and it is common sense for the rakyat not wanting to lose their homes or lives during this year’s monsoon.

“Contrary to Zahid’s accusation, Harapan does not need the general election to be held next year in order ‘to continue discrediting BN’ because BN, in particular Umno, is already long tainted with corruption, money laundering and criminal breach of trust based on the numerous court cases involving former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, his wife Rosmah Mansor and former deputy prime minister, Zahid himself,” he said.

“My only question is: Are Ismail Sabri and Zahid prepared to take responsibility if lives are lost and properties are damaged if the next GE is held during monsoon season?”

The Umno president has been piling on the pressure for Ismail Sabri to set a date for the polls before the year ends.

‘Lives of rakyat gambled so cheaply’

Similarly, Terengganu Harapan chairperson Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad questioned why the Umno president wishes to risk the lives of the rakyat to hold a general election.

In response to Zahid's statement two days ago, Raja Kamarul also asked whether the Bagan Datuk MP and the cabinet were willing to leave their respective constituencies, but prioritise the rakyat affected by floods during the election campaign.

"Why should people's lives be gambled so cheaply, when it is known to the public that the major floods season usually occurs at the end of the year, to remain in power when the public knows that the election period is still almost a year away?

"It is clear that this action will gamble the lives of the rakyat to fulfil the ambitions of greed for the government to remain in power regardless of the consequences on the welfare and safety of the people's lives that should be protected," he said in a statement today.

Zahid, who is also the BN chairperson, said two days ago that BN is prepared to weather floods and heavy rains if GE15 is held this year.

Raja Kamarul also addressed Zahid’s claim that Harapan is afraid of facing GE15 during the flood season, calling it “absurd” as the coalition is more concerned about the safety of the public.

"Actually, what Zahid wants to gain is an unfair advantage and abuse of power using all government machinery facilities such as helicopters, boats and trucks to facilitate the transportation of their voters while the opposition voters will be stranded and not turn out to vote.

"If in normal times, according to this recent example, the help to save the people hit by floods is so slow, during the election will the boat to save the people be prioritised or the boat to campaign and transport the voters will be the priority?" he asked.

The Meteorological Department has predicted for the monsoon season to start in November and carry on until March 23, 2023.

This differs from the usual monsoon period of September to November.

Malaysia was hit with one of the worst floods in history in December last year.

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