PETALING JAYA: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has questioned the opposition’s sincerity in raising concerns over holding the 15th general election (GE15) during the monsoon season.
He claimed that the opposition’s objection to an early GE15 was proof that they were weak and afraid and were attempting to buy more time.
“How sincere are they or is it just another tactic to avoid facing the voters?” he said in a Facebook post.
The Bagan Datuk MP, who has been pushing for the polls to be held earlier, said that if the opposition were truly afraid of the floods, then GE15 should be called immediately, before the start of the monsoon season.
He added that the unpredictability of the floods was a good reason to hold GE15 now so that the welfare of the people could be taken care of by a stronger and stable government.
He said Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had also explained that GE15 could be held within four weeks of Parliament’s dissolution.
Zahid, who is Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, also said there was no need for a lengthy campaign period as the opposition had already begun its nationwide mega roadshow.
On Sept 17, Zahid said BN was willing to wade through flood waters to campaign for GE15 if it was held during the monsoon season, drawing criticism from the opposition.
In response, DAP MP Lim Lip Eng slammed Zahid, asking if the Umno president would be willing to accept the blame if people died during that time.
The meteorological department expects the monsoon season to start in November and carry on until March next year.