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BERA – It is up to the Election Commission (EC) to decide whether to stop the 15th general election (GE15) process if massive floods hit the country, said caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said meetings would be held with the EC and related agencies to look for possible alternatives to proceed with the election process in the event of major floods.
“If major floods prevent people from going out (to vote), then I will discuss with the EC to see if there are alternatives.
“We will discuss with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and Disaster Management Committee. The EC can also give its views (as) it is up to (them) if they want to stop the election,” he said.
He said this at a press conference after attending an event with the Bandar Kemayan community here today.
GE15 candidate nomination was held yesterday while polling is on November 19 and early voting is on November 15.
On November 4, MetMalaysia forecasted that the northeast monsoon season would begin on November 7 and last until March next year, and flooding is possible in low-lying and riverine areas.
The department also predicted that the king tide phenomenon could hit during several periods between November and January next year.
Ismail Sabri also said that before the dissolution of Parliament on October 10, the federal government had made preparations to manage floods – including holding meetings with menteris besar, chief ministers and state secretaries.
He said the meetings focused on getting flood evacuation centres ready and improving facilities at the affected locations. – Bernama, November 6, 2022