THAT the writing has been on the wall but with some notorious, vicious minded politicians wanting to safeguard their skin by putting the well-being of Malaysians above their very own interest, the approximately 21.2 million eligible citizens who are eligible to cast their vote on Saturday (Nov 19) will now have to brace themselves for a wet 15th General Election (GE15).
Since 9.30pm last night (Nov 16), rain has been pouring down across the Klang Valley (drizzling at the time of writing) with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (Met Malaysia) having issued half a dozen thunderstorm warning updates since 4pm yesterday (Nov 16).
In a 3.32am Tweet, former Klang MP Charles Santiago said he was ‘besieged’ by calls from Klang folks who are upset and worried with the rain and floods. “We were hoping this won’t happen. It’s worrying that @metmalaysia has predicted heavy rain till 4am,”
While it’s good to see Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and his potential successor Ganabatirau Veraman on the ground, Santiago stressed the need for the caretaker Federal government to urgently activate its emergency services to respond to people’s need.
“Families have sent out help alerts to move their parents to higher floors. Parts of Klang & Shah Alam are submerged in water as high as two feet. Its 48 hours to the polling day. Where is @sprgovmy (Election Commission) flood SOP (standard operating procedure)?” lambasted the three-term Klang MP.
Met Malaysia has in its latest “Thunderstorm Warning” issued at 7.35am today forecasts thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in the following states until at least 10am today (Nov 17):
- Terengganu (Setiu, Kuala Nerus, Kuala Terengganu and Marang)
- Pahang (Rompin)
- Selangor (Kuala Langat and Sepang)
- Negeri Sembilan (Seremban, Port Dickson and Rembau)
- Melaka
- Johor (Tangkak, Muar, Batu Pahat, Mersing and Kota Tinggi)
- Sarawak: Kuching (Lundu and Kuching)
- Sabah: Sandakan (Telupid, Kinabatangan, Beluran and Sandakan) and Kudat
Meanwhile, as at 7.30am today, the Department of Irrigation and Drainage’s (DID) PublicInfobanjir portal said nine rivers in Selangor have exceeded their danger levels.
They are:
- Semenyih di Pekan Bangi Lama, Hulu Langat
- Binjai di Pekan Meru, Klang
- Klang di Taman Sri Muda, Klang
- Rasau di Taman Desa Kemuning, Klang
- Langat di Bukit Changgang, Kuala Langat
- Bakul di Kg. Budiman, Petaling
- Langat di Dengkil, Sepang
- Langat di Jenderam Hilir, Sepang
- Labu di Kg. Salak Tinggi, Sepang
On Tuesday (Nov 15), Santiago said he will instruct his lawyers to file an application in the Federal Court for leave to appeal against the dismissal of his suit to halt the GE15.
“While I understand this is academic given the fact that the polling day is Saturday (Nov 19), it’s crucial to determine if the Federal Constitution is the highest law of the land as it clearly states the prime minister (PM) acts on the advice of the cabinet,” he pointed out in a Facebook statement.
“The three-panel judges said the dissolution of Parliament is a matter which the courts cannot look at and examine. The court did not make any findings on whether (caretaker PM Datuk Seri) Ismail Sabri (Yaakob) was empowered to unilaterally request for the dissolution of Parliament since it found the matter to be non-justiciable.” – Nov 17, 2022
