Khairy says flood season not the right time to hold polls


Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin says it is not conducive to hold the next general election during flood season as many factors need to be considered. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, September 21, 2022.

IT is not conducive to hold the 15th general election (GE15) during flood season as many factors need to be considered, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said. 

Besides health considerations, the Health Ministry (MOH) is of the view that many factors, including manpower and public safety, must be taken into account. 

“Firstly, a lot of manpower will be needed in an election and in the monsoon season, to handle temporary evacuation centres, to take care of people’s safety, and for evacuations.

“Secondly, many schools are used as relief shelters as well as voting centres,” he said during an interview at MOH in Putrajaya today. 

From a health perspective, Khairy said due to the weather conditions then, there will be an increase in water-borne diseases as well as other illnesses such as fever and flu. 

“So, MOH is of the view it is not conducive to hold an election during this flood season,” the Rembau MP said when asked to comment on the matter. 

On September 17, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he would announce the date for the dissolution of parliament soon to pave the way for the general election. 

Asked whether MOH had proposed dates it felt suitable for the polls to be held, Khairy said the matter was discussed in general but it was up to the prime minister to decide. 

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecast that the country would experience continuous heavy rain from mid-November, leading to major floods at the end of the month.

MetMalaysia expects the weather impact to be more significant given that the northeast monsoon was prevalent during that period, and as such the risk of continuous heavy rain and large-scale flooding was high. – Bernama, September 21, 2022.


Sign up or sign in here to comment.


Comments