PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob must decide wisely about calling the next general election during flood season, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) said.

The association’s newly elected president Dr Muruga Raj Rajathurai urged the prime minister to take the people’s interest to heart and not endanger their health, adding that politics should not be prioritised over the people’s health.

Muruga said in a statement that if the general election is held during the flood season, it may expose the population to several health issues, which may lead to death.

“We are concerned that if floods occur during the general election period, many Malaysians might be exposed to the risk of diseases, injuries and death caused by the floods,” he said.

“Not only is there a risk of injuries and drowning… flood-waters can also cause water- and food-borne diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, hepatitis A, dysentery and food poisoning where symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever or headache.

“There is also the risk of leptospirosis if a person were to be exposed to the leptospira bacteria found in the urine of four-legged mammals such as rats, dogs, cats, cows and so on.

“Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to serious health issues such as kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death,” Muruga added.

He said other potential health issues as a result of exposure to flood-waters include conjunctivitis, skin irritation and skin infections.

Earlier today, Ismail said he has been granted an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Thursday.

He, however, refused to confirm whether he would present a date for the dissolution of parliament.

Last Friday, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said that Malaysia will have snap polls once Ismail meets the king to dissolve parliament.  

Muruga said they are most concerned about vulnerable groups such as the disabled, elderly and expectant mothers who may be exposed to these dangers if they were to brave the floods to exercise their democratic right to vote.

He said, another major concern is the issue of shortage in the supply of certain medicines that are in high demand.

“Most of the medicines that are currently short in supply will be needed to treat some of these diseases.

“The last thing we will want is a health crisis at a time when the most-needed medicines are in short supply,” he said.

Malaysia’s monsoon season typically starts around late November and could last until March.

Last year, eight of 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia were hit by floods in December, as the country saw the heaviest rainfall in 100 years, officials had said. – October 4, 2022.