As Prime Minister Ismail Sabri conducts his political meeting with UMNO Top-5 leaders tonight, to discuss the date of the 15th general election, he must remember that his Keluarga Malaysia does not make him only the Prime Minister of UMNO but also encompasses 32 million Malaysians. He must prioritize the people’s interests, well-being, welfare, safety and security over and above the selfish private political interests of UMNO.
Such a reminder that he must put the people first bears greater urgency following the statement by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) yesterday that the country will go through a monsoon transition phase starting October 3 until the end of November. MetMalaysia states that during this monsoon transition phase, the country will encounter thunderstorms that could potentially trigger flash floods.
The government has a basic duty to allow voters to cast their ballot papers at polling stations in an orderly, safe, secure and calm environment. A willingness to wade through flood waters to vote and campaign as suggested by UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is shameful and not befitting of a wakil rakyat.
This brings to mind one of the worst floods in Penang history on 5 November 2017. Look at the devastation of floods brought by Hurricane Ian in Florida and Cuba, Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico, Typhoon Nanmadol in Japan, Typhoon Noru in Philippines and Vietnam. Better to defy the anger of Ahmad Zahid than incur the wrath of Mother Nature.
Ismail Sabri should bear this in mind to convince the UMNO Top-5 leaders that it will be both foolhardy and irresponsible to hold general elections during the monsoon period. 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?
The rakyat cannot be put at risk and in danger 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.