IF 38 MPs from UMNO can bully Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob in holding an early general election (GE15) this year, then I don’t know what to say.
Not all the 38 MPs are in favour of an early GE15 considering the consequences of holding it during the monsoon season of heaven rainfalls, floods and storms.
Those who are vehemently in opposition of holding GE15 this year are placing their hope on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to not consent to the dissolution of the Parliament if and when approached by Ismail Sabri.
I am not sure whether Ismail Sabri understands that majority of the MPs from PKR, DAP, Amanah, Bersatu, PAS and others are not in favour of an early election just to satisfy a few in UMNO.
I am not sure how an early election would automatically ensure the victory of Barisan Nasional (BN) in general and UMNO in particular as nothing is certain.
The voters will exact their revenge on the UMNO court cluster for dragging and tarnishing the country’s image by indulging in unprecedented corruption and money laundering.
Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is already behind bars wishfully thinking that UMNO’s victory in the coming GE15 would wipe out his crimes and return him to the corridors of power.
It is similar thinking on the parts of others in the court cluster as though a victory in GE15 would enable them to come out unscathed from the corruption imbroglio.
How an early election this year would work miracles for UMNO by returning it to power remains a big mystery to me.
Why would an early GE15 make a difference this year and not if it is held next year?
It is not as if the public are unaware of the crimes of certain UMNO leaders, and having GE15 next year is not going to change how the public view UMNO.
The public have already made up their mind about UMNO perhaps with the exception of certain sections who continue to hold on to the view that the party can do no wrong.
They might even think that the move to bring corruption-related charges against UMNO leaders is part of the Opposition’s grand strategy to topple a coalition based on race and religion.
It is unfortunate that the call for an early GE is not counter-balanced by the need to understand the suffering of the people under conditions of the monsoon.
It is so predictable that the ordinary people will suffer with the onset of the monsoon season and it is not as if we have not experienced the devastations of the monsoon in the past.
State and federal agencies – despite their preparations – might not be in a position to mitigate the worst effects of the floods.
There are already warnings from weather experts to not have any major public functions like the GE15 during the monsoon period.
Given this, the constant calls for an early GE15 this year to the extent of pressuring Ismail Sabri seems mind-boggling.
How can the present UMNO leaders behind this move be so uncaring, cruel and irresponsible to call for an early GE15 this year?
These leaders have been politicians in the past as well and have held important government positions; they know exactly the impact the monsoon will have on the people.
Some of the states in the east coast of the country will be more affected than others.
In dealing with the constant pressure from UMNO, what Ismail Sabri can do is to call for special session of the Parliament to decide the timing of the GE15 to determine whether it should be held this year or the next.
By summoning MPs, a vote could be democratically taken to decide on the exact date of the next general election.
This is an unusual practice, but unusual times calls for unusual decisions.
A parliamentary decision by votes will determine the timing of GE15.
This way, the Agong will be guided by this democratic decision in calling for the dissolution of the Parliament when approached by the Ismail Sabri. – Oct 4, 2022
Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also deputy chief minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
