IT is up to the Election Commission (EC) to decide whether to stop the 15th general election if the country is hit by massive floods, caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

He said meetings would be held with the EC and related agencies to look for possible alternatives to proceed with the election process in the event of major floods.

“If major floods occur to the extent of preventing people from going out (to vote), then I will discuss with the EC to see if there are alternatives.

“We will discuss with MetMalaysia (Malaysian Meteorological Department) and the disaster management committees. The EC can also give its views. It is up to them to stop the election,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after attending a feast with the Bandar Kemayan community in Bera today.

Nomination of candidates was held yesterday, while polling is on November 19 and early voting is on November 15.

On Friday, MetMalaysia forecast that the northeast monsoon season would begin tomorrow and last until March next year, and it could result in flooding in low-lying and riverine areas.

The department also predicted that the king tide phenomenon could hit during several periods between November and January next year.

Ismail also said that before the dissolution of parliament on October 10, the federal government had made preparations to manage floods, including holding meetings with menteris besar, chief ministers and state secretaries.

He said the meetings focused on, among other things, preparing flood evacuation centres and improving the facilities at these places. – Bernama, November 6, 2022.