With the uncertainties in Malaysian politics brewing again, we have heard of various news and statements that surface, including urging to call for a general election.
Calling a general election? At this point of time?
We know and we heard from the news that several politicians wanted a snap election to be held immediately, namely the Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Pontian Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad and not to mention the others.
It is so scatterbrained of these people that have been urging for the general elections to be held. With the number of cases of Covid-19 rising in the number of thousands every single day, do they have the guts to call for a decision that will result in a possible extreme rise of cases? If the elections were called, there would be a lot of meetings within political parties internally. When the candidate is decided and they form their campaign teams, there will be a lot of communications among them. And when the campaign begins, the campaigners will do their best to get in touch with all voters in all ways, including ceramahs, events and house-to-house visits. That is not only from one party. Each voter might have the possibility of meeting campaigners and candidates from more than one party.
Now, how can we guarantee that the Covid-19 virus will not spread? Impossible. The Sabah state elections have been a good case study. The political campaign during the state elections have caused the virus to have spread to many parts of Malaysia as leaders and campaigners all travel to campaign in Sabah.
Even then, with some states affected by the massive floods, I do not understand how the campaign will be held. How will it be legitimate if the voters cannot come out to vote? The Election Commission might also have a problem searching for venues for the polling day.
The pandemic has already been a huge problem for us especially with a new wave developing rapidly. Furthermore, the new strain of virus is even more alarming. Added with the flood issues, it gives Malaysians even more challenges. How can politicians even want to call for a snap election? It is purely for their own political benefit.
Isn’t it purely about personal and political benefit when the politician does not want to support the current administration because the government does not interfere with the ongoing court cases.
Just for our knowledge, Ahmad Maslan is currently facing a trial for failing to declare RM2 million income received from the former Prime Minister and for giving false statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Even the Umno President and few other political leaders are facing ongoing trials.
Don’t forget how they have criticized when the Lim Guan Eng case was dropped by the prosecutor and claiming that it was clear that the prosecution could not win the case.
What more do we hope for? To stripe off power from all these greedy politicians that is only after personal benefits.
This article is published in Kwong Wah Yit Poh in Chinese dated 12 January 2021.