DAP national chairman Lim Guan Eng today asked Barisan Nasional if they have any other plans if they win the general election apart from saving their leaders from corruption charges.

Lim said the BN have absolutely no plans to deal with the financial burden faced by the people and businesses facing escalating costs of living, depreciating ringgit, rising interest rates, low real wage increase that cannot keep up with inflation and a severe foreign labour shortage.

“How can a BN victory save the value of the ringgit which dropped to a new historic low of RM3.27 to the Singapore dollar and a new 24-year-old low of RM4.69 to the US dollar?” he asked in a statement.

A BN victory, the Bagan incumbent said, is not a quick fix to save them from corruption charges in court.

In a speech by BN chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the recent MIC annual general assembly, he said the coalition must gain a “dominant victory” in the snap general election so that certain BN leaders, including himself, would be saved from criminal trials.

“With the financial situation deteriorating day by day, many are asking what the government is doing to help them without any 2023 Budget by the end of the year.”

“The drop in the value of the ringgit will only add to the existing inflationary pressures and soaring cost of living.

He said the caretaker government, headed by Umno vice president Ismail Sabri Yaakob, could not deny that Bank Negara is expected to increase interest rates again in November.

“Apart from selfish political interests, calling an election in the midst of the flood season and uncertain economic times that require complete focus to deal with these problems is highly irresponsible,” he said.

Lim added that by holding the elections in the midst of Deepavali, a first in any major ethnic festival since Merdeka, is also very disrespectful to the Indian community.

Ismail announced the dissolution of parliament on Monday, paving the way for the 15th general election (GE15).

The Election Commission is expected to announce the dates for GE15 and the state by-election for Bugaya in Sabah on Oct 20. – October 13, 2022.