Umno Youth chief: Still time to hold GE before floods this year

Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki believes there is still enough time to hold the general election before the flooding season at the end of the year.

He cited the Meteorological Department’s prediction of major floods at the end of November as causing many to urge for the general election to be pushed after that.

“I also agree that the general election should be postponed if flooding happens.

“The question is, can the general election be held before the flooding season?

“If the Meteorological Department’s prediction can be relied on, then the general election can still be held before the major floods at the end of November,” Asyraf (above) said on Facebook today.

The November prediction is the strongest reason Parliament can be dissolved in early October, especially between Oct 7 and 10, he added.

If Parliament is dissolved in early October, he said the 15th general election (GE15) can be held by early November, which is before the predicted floods.

Asyraf also has faith in the Election Commission’s (EC) capabilities in handling a general election within one month of the dissolution of Parliament, based on the agency’s track record.

“Therefore, based on the EC’s previous general election track record and taking into account the Meteorological Department’s prediction… it proves that we are still in time and able to hold the general election before the flooding season this year if Parliament is dissolved in early October,” he concluded.

The tabling of Budget 2023 has been brought forward from the end of October to Oct 7, prompting many to speculate on the possibility of a Parliament dissolution shortly after that.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has also been amping up the pressure on Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is the party vice-president, to hold snap polls this year.

Zahid courted flak when he said on Sept 17 that BN is prepared to wade through floods if GE15 is held during the monsoon season.

It was also reported earlier today that the cabinet was unable to reach a consensus on whether GE15 should be held this year.

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