Taking to Facebook, Loke noted that Ismail had, on Monday, been quoted by Nikkei Asia as saying that GE15 would not be held soon, but yesterday had told the Barisan Nasional (BN) convention that he would not “delay dissolving Parliament for even one second” once he felt BN was ready.

“In a matter of 48 hours, he changed his tune. He needs to be firmer and more consistent in his stance as the prime minister, and more accountable for his statements,” Loke said.

He reminded Ismail that the decision to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament was in his hands as the prime minister, and such a decision should not be left to the influence of those around him who are “only worried about their political survival”.

“If he really wants to address the inflation instead of calling for an election in the near future, then he needs to find consensus across parties so that the focus can be on helping the people,” he said.

Loke stressed that DAP was not worried of an election being held any time soon, but claimed that “flip-flopping” on the GE15 would only cause continued political instability and further harm the economic situation of the country.

“We are ready. The crux of the issue is that the prime minister needs to be firmer in his stance,” he said.