THE next general election is unlikely to be held during the monsoon season, Umno vice-president Mahdzir Khalid said.  

He said the main topic of discussion at the cabinet meeting yesterday was the preparations to face floods.

“Let the prime minister make the announcement as he has the power to call a general election,” the rural development minister told reporters. 

“We understand the flood (risks) and the prime minister will take into account the advice from the Malaysian Meteorological Department.”  

He also urged the public not to buy into all the claims on social media.

“Some are claiming that floods will happen in October while others are saying they will happen in November and December,” he said.

“It is better to get correct information from the relevant authorities.”

Earlier this week, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said despite the possibility of floods, Barisan Nasional (BN) is willing to face the situation to campaign in the general election.

He said should the polls be held at the end of the year, the BN Youth machinery will be ready to provide assistance in flood-hit areas.

He has since faced severe criticism from the opposition for his comments.

Hitting back at his critics, Zahid said if the opposition was concerned about having the polls during the monsoon season, then they should be held now.

“It is time they walked the talk and ask the Election Commission to set a date for the people to choose a stronger government,” Zahid said in his latest Facebook post.

He also said the opposition politicians are merely using the monsoon season as a delay tactic to save their own political career. – September 22, 2022.