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KUALA LUMPUR – Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has called Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi “crazy” for insisting that the 15th general election (GE15) can be held during the monsoon season.
Syed Saddiq, who is Muar MP, tweeted his anger after Zahid said Barisan Nasional (BN) is willing to wade through floods to campaign for GE15, while launching the BN Youth election machinery yesterday.
“For the sake of power, they are willing to put people at risk by forcing them to face the floods!!!” the former youth and sports minister tweeted.
He recounted how losses after the massive floods late last year had cost property losses of RM10 billion, more than 50 deaths and over 500,000 people displaced.
“Imagine this year, floods + election?!.. Crazy work!” Syed Saddiq said.
Demi kuasa, sanggup membunuh rakyat dengan memaksa mereka berhadapan banjir!!!
— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) September 17, 2022
Tahun lepas bila banjir,
Rakyat hilang harta RM10billion,
~50 kematian,
~500,000 rakyat terkesan.
Bayangkan tahun ini, banjir + Pilihanraya?!
Menteri fokus undi, rakyat mati.
Kerja gila! pic.twitter.com/0nboRjKjrv
Zahid yesterday said that despite the possibility of floods, BN, which he heads as the coalition’s chairman, is willing to face floods to campaign. Reminding all BN parties and wings to work hard even if floods strike, he said “we are willing to campaign when there is flooding or heavy rain”.
Zahid also reminded Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to “do what is appropriate” after tabling Budget 2023 on October 7 and to make sure it has “goodies” for the people.
This is in reference to dissolving Parliament to pave the way for elections after announcing the government’s spending plan, and to make sure it has enough incentives to ensure that people will vote for BN.
Muda secretary-general Amira Aisya Abd Aziz also posted her criticism of Zahid, chiding him for making such a statement.
“It is an insensitive statement of Zahid to force PM Ismail Sabri to call for elections knowing that the country will face massive floods.
“Why make floods into political propaganda when it causes so much hardship to people, such as loss of property and even loss of life,” Amira said in a TikTok video.
Kita taknak PRU hujung tahun bukan sebab takut.
— amiraaisya (@_amiraaisya) September 18, 2022
Tapi semua kekuatan sepatutnya difokuskan menghadap banjir.
Bukan masa berpolitik!
Semua harus kerja bersama bantu rakyat.
Banjir lepas:-
🚨 >70,000 rakyat terkesan
🚨 RM6.5B kerugian
🚨 > 50 nyawa terkorban
We must do better! pic.twitter.com/22aNqNIrmK
Instead of being power-crazy, the Umno-BN government should be consulting all elected representatives to develop flood mitigation as well as rescue and recovery plans for the country, the Puteri Wangsa assemblyman said.
Speculation is rife that Ismail Sabri, under pressure from his party boss Zahid, will dissolve Parliament after the budget is tabled on October 7. Ismail Sabri, who is Umno’s vice-president has said GE15 will be held “soon” subject to further discussions on the date with Umno’s top leadership. – The Vibes, September 18, 2022