THERE is no need to rush to dissolve parliament in light of the monsoon season, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said today.

He said that given that Malaysia’s economy was still recovering post Covid-19, the general election should not be held now.

“The monsoon will burden the public and the government machinery,” Hadi said in a statement.

“PAS is of the view that the country and the people’s welfare must be a priority, while also supporting efforts to revive the economy, especially through Budget 2023.”

At the same time, the Marang MP said the Islamist party will continue to negotiate will political parties, civil societies and academics towards the goal of uniting the ummah.

“(This is to) reach an agreement to avoid clashing among ourselves and instead defeat Pakatan Harapan,” he said.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his supporters have been staunch supporters of having an election in November, despite predictions of flood.

Opposition leaders, meanwhile, have lambasted Zahid and Umno for prioritising power over the welfare of the people.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also Umno vice-president, said he had reached a consensus as one of the top five of the leadership on Friday as there was a need to return the mandate to the people as soon as possible.

On September 30, the Umno Supreme Council stated that the prime minister would be meeting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong soon to advise on the date for dissolving Parliament this year to pave the way for the next general election.

Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan released a statement on Friday that parliament must be dissolved as soon as possible to pave the way for federal polls this year.

The council had also instructed the party’s election machinery to finalise all electoral preparations.

It added that only by going to the polls can a stable government be formed, which is crucial to national economic recovery.

There is a meeting of Umno division leaders with the party leadership on the general election later today. – October 4, 2022.