AS Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is expected to meet the top five UMNO leaders tonight to discuss the date of the 15th general election (GE15), a DAP leader stepped up to remind him that he serves 32 million Malaysians and not just UMNO.
As such, any decision made during the meeting must prioritise the people’s interests, well-being, welfare, safety and security over and above the “selfish private political interests” of UMNO, DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng said.
“Such a reminder that he must put the people first bears greater urgency following the statement by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) yesterday (Sept 29) that the country will go through a monsoon transition phase starting Oct 3 until the end of November,” he noted.
“MetMalaysia stated that during this monsoon transition phase, the country will encounter thunderstorms that could potentially trigger flash floods.”
Lim added that the Government has a duty to allow voters to cast their ballots in an orderly, safe, secure and calm environment instead of having to wade through flood waters.
Better to defy Zahid than incur wrath of Mother Nature
Pointing to the devastations of floods brought by Hurricane Ian in Florida and Cubaa, Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico, Typhoon Nanmadol in Japan, Typhoon Noru in the Philippines and Vietnam, Lim further noted that it was better to defy Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi than incur the wrath of Mother Nature.
The UMNO president had been pushing for an early election despite warnings of possible flash floods during monsoon season.
He previously said that the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition was willing to wade through flood waters to campaign for GE15 if it was held during the monsoon season.
“Ismail Sabri should bear this in mind to convince the UMNO leaders that it will be both foolhardy and irresponsible to hold general elections during the monsoon period,” Lim elaborated.
“How can voters carry out their duty as citizens of Malaysia if they have to wade through flood waters to vote when they are more concerned about saving their property and lives?”
Lim further pointed out that the rakyat cannot be put at risk simply to satisfy the “political whims and fancies of self-serving dishonest politicians”.
“This is a good opportunity for Ismail Sabri to deliver as Prime Minister by holding the general election next year and leave a lasting impression that he is willing to stand up to his political bosses in UMNO because he ultimately serves his real bosses – the people of Malaysia,” he stressed. – Sept 30, 2022
