PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob must remain patient and retain a good sense not to be influenced by the Umno leadership to hold elections as soon as possible, P. Ramasamy said today.

The Penang deputy chief minister said the timing of holding the next general election should be decided based on what is good for the country as whole and not to pander to the interests of the Umno “court cluster”.

“These individuals have done so much harm to the country. Listening to them will be tantamount to massive betrayal.

“I hope that Ismail has the patience and good sense not to be influenced by those in the Umno court cluster,” he said in a statement, referring to the Umno leaders who are facing criminal trials, including Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former president Najib Razak.

Zahid and Najib, along with other senior Umno leaders are urging Ismail to call elections quickly, arguing that the timing is right for Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) to win the polls now.

Ismail, who is also Umno vice-president, has said he would want the economic situation to improve first before holding the 15th general election (GE15).

However, during the BN convention last week, he said he would hold it as soon as the coalition is fully ready. 

“The whole world knows that Ismail is under tremendous pressure from the Umno court cluster, particularly Najib and Zahid, to hold an early GE15,” said Ramasamy. 

“He has been resisting this pressure for some time, more so after the recent Johor elections. He has been resisting this call on the grounds of inflation, state of the economy and food security. 

“It only makes sense for the country to go a full term to hold the GE15 next year.” 

The DAP leader said Ismail must also accept full responsibility for interfering with the judicial process if he calls early elections.

This is because, he said, Najib’s final appeal is to be heard shortly as well as the conclusion of trials involving Zahid and Najib’s wife, Rosmah Mansor.

“Just because they don’t want to face the dim prospect of being convicted and going to jail, they want to subvert the judicial process by calling for an early GE15,” he said. 

“Some Umno leaders, having exhausted other avenues, still believe that an early GE15 might be the last chance to save their political careers.

“Withstanding the pressure from Umno means that Ismail might allow the courts to dispose of these cases before GE15.” 

Ramasamy also said while Ismail might be seen as being non-effectual, he is still a better choice compared with the corrupt Umno leaders. 

He said by not going for an early GE15 and ignoring pressure from his party leaders to do so, Ismail might get the support and goodwill of the larger Malaysians. 

“In fact, his litmus test to be the next prime minister is whether or not he can say no to these bunch of crooked and self-seeking politicians,” he added. – June 4, 2022.