OPPOSITION politicians have taken to social media to air their displeasure over the decision to dissolve the Parliament to make way for the next general election during the flood season. 

Expressing their frustrations over Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s announcement to call for an early poll, they said that such a move was only risking the lives of people. 

Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said that Barisan Nasional (BN) and its top leaders should take responsibility should there be any harm to the lives of the people. 

“Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Ismail Sabri Yaakob and BN must be held accountable for any harm caused to the lives of people by the floods in Malaysia for their decision to dissolve Parliament during the rainy season,” the DAP lawmaker posted on Twitter. 

Klang MP Charles Santiago meanwhile chided Ismail for dissolving Parliament despite pleas from various quarters as most states are preparing to brace themselves against the possibility of floods. 

Santiago urged voters to make the right decision during election or risk the possibility of seeing charges against convicted criminals dropped. 

“We can still exercise our civic duty and vote out Umno and Barisan Nasional, or convicted criminals will walk free and the ‘court cluster’ will have charges dropped,” he tweeted.

“Court cluster” is the term used to brand Umno lawmakers who are either on trial or have been convicted on charges. 

The DAP lawmaker even claimed that Umno had disrespected the Hindu community for making the dissolution announcement two weeks before Deepavali, alluding that the election campaign period would fall during the festival.

“The announcement is highly insensitive to the Hindu community who will celebrate Deepavali in two weeks.”

“Why the disrespect to the Indian community?” Santiago asked. 

Earlier today, Ismail announced the dissolution of parliament to make way for the general election.  

He said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has given his royal assent for the dissolution of the current parliament term, which was set to end in July next year.  

He said this in a special address broadcast live on television at 3pm.  

A general election must be held within 60 days after the dissolution of parliament.

DAP’s central executive committee (CEC) member Syahredzan Johan said that the prime minister ignored all flood warnings and proceeded to seek an audience with the King to dissolve Parliament. 

“Despite all the warnings about #UndiBanjir, the prime minister went ahead to seek dissolution.” 

“Will we be fine? I hope so,” he said. 

Another DAP CEC member Young Syefura Othman called on Malaysians to “punish” BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the upcoming elections by not voting for them. 

“I call on Malaysians to punish the arrogance of Umno and BN. 

“Let’s come out in masses to defeat BN and PN, who are the reason for damaging the country’s democracy with the ‘Sheraton Move’. 

“People need to teach them a lesson. Nothing is more powerful than people power,” she posted on Facebook. 

DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook in a statement said that the party had repeatedly expressed its stance that a GE should not be held in a near term as there is a risk of floods in the country. 

He, however, said that DAP respects the decision that has been made in accordance with the Federal Constitution.

“The entire DAP election machinery will be activated immediately to prepare for GE15.”  

“DAP’s CEC will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow night to discuss the party’s preparations for polls,” he said. 

Loke added that DAP will continue to support the Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council’s decision not to dissolve the State Legislative Assemblies of Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan so that the respective state governments can continue preparations to face any possible disaster.

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said the party will do its best to instil confidence among the public to vote for Pakatan Harapan (PH).

He said PH will lead a good government to face the challenging times in the months to come if it wins the election.

“We will do our best to convince the voters to re-elect PKR and PH to face the country’s challenges, which are expected to be greater in 2023 due to the global economic crisis and others,” the former Pandan MP said. 

Pejuang information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamudin on the other hand said that Umno was using the people as a tool for their benefit and to satisfy their greed for power. 

“All risks of major floods seem to be unimportant in the eyes of Umno for the sake of power alone.”

“They are willing to risk people’s lives in order to satisfy their political lust,” he said, urging people to make the right decision by not electing power-crazy Umno. – October 10, 2022.