KUCHING, Oct 2: There is no credible and good reason for the 15th General Election (GE15) to be held this year, says political pundit Dato Peter Minos.
In pointing this out, Minos, in a statement today, said that the term for the current Parliament will run until July 2023.
“So why the big hurry and rush for GE15 this year?” he questioned.
Minos noted that the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) leaders are set on having GE15 this year either in October or November and are demanding Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob get the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament as soon as possible.
He said Umno also stated that it could not be bothered if heavy rain or severe flooding occurred in October and November.
He also said that Umno’s key reason for GE15 to be held this year is that the people need a fresh mandate, and now is the time for it.
“Most non-Umno political parties and many concerned Malaysians voiced one thing: to hold GE15 next year because it is unwise to have an election this coming October and November when it will rain and flood.
“Some also asked why not wait for a few more months for next year, some openly say the court cluster group in Umno are those who are desperate for GE15 this year before the court makes adverse judgments on them and before they lose their Umno party power,” he added.
According to Minos, those wanting GE15 next year are hoping that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will exercise his absolute discretion not to dissolve Parliament this year, and His Excellency has that discretion under the Federal Constitution.
He said as for the Prime Minister, he seems to have no choice because he cannot go against his party’s decision and is only one of the three vice-presidents.
“If he defies his party, he may be sacked or toppled as prime minister. That is what Umno did to ex-prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
“If he is daring and strong enough to defy Umno and then is sacked or toppled, many political parties and Malaysians will back and support him. Many say so. This we must wait and see in the next few days,” he opined. — DayakDaily
