The communications and multimedia minister said Zahid’s remarks were taken out of context.

He explained that the Bagan Datuk MP simply meant to say that BN’s election machinery was ready to face GE15 at any time, even if it was during the monsoon season.

“The president did not necessarily mean that the elections will be held despite the floods,” Annuar, a former Umno secretary-general, said on the sidelines of an event here.

On Saturday, Zahid said BN was willing to wade through flood waters to campaign for GE15 if it was held during the monsoon season.

He has drawn brickbats from the opposition and even partners in the government, with PAS deputy minister Siti Zailah Yusoff saying Putrajaya should avoid holding nationwide polls during the monsoon season.

Annuar agreed that holding GE15 amid floods would be inappropriate and said Zahid’s statement was the latter’s personal view on the matter.

“It is rare for a country to hold elections during a natural disaster. If we hold (elections) in an unfavourable atmosphere, the percentage of votes will be low and that will not be a good image for the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Annuar said the government will create a fund to help the local film industry produce movies with elements of patriotism and unity.

He said there have been discussions with the finance ministry to allocate some RM50 million for this purpose under the federal budget that is to be tabled next month.