KUALA LUMPUR – Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan has backed his party’s insistence to hold the 15th general election soonest, but only after the Covid-19 and flood situations in the country subside.
He argued that the election can be held under strict guidelines, comparing it to daily activities such as shopping.
“If (we can go) to shops, supermarkets, (and) restaurants and line up every day, why can’t we queue to vote under tight SOPs?” he asked in a Twitter posting.
Ahmad said he supported holding the polls once the floods are over and the Covid-19 vaccines have begun to be administered.
He also noted that the Election Commission had given the green light for a general election to be held under strict SOPs.
“Campaigning would be on social media,” he said in the posting.
The Pontian MP, who is no stranger to courting controversy, was recently slammed by various quarters after reportedly saying that those from Universiti Islam Malaysia or with PhD degrees would understand the necessity of holding the election sooner.
He said this after viewing a news report of a coconut grater who believed it was not the appropriate time to hold elections due to the pandemic.
“I am unsure whether the individual had registered to vote or not. He said there cannot be a general election due to Covid-19,” Ahmad said, as quoted by MalaysiaKini yesterday.
“But I said why the general election is needed, because many countries have done so including the United States and Singapore, and we have also carried out by-elections in Chini and Slim, as well as the Sabah state elections.”
Ahmad said he felt the coconut grater might not have noticed that these elections were held during the pandemic and noted the man might have been only a high-school leaver.
“But those from UIA or PhD holders, I feel that they can explain the reason for the general election more accurately.”
Ahmad's remarks comparing the election queues to shopping elicited brickbats from netizens, making him one of the top trending topics on Twitter within hours.
Saya hanya beri cadangan utk keluar drpd masalah Kjaan yg dah kurang drpd 112 ini.
— Ahmad b Maslan (@ahmadmaslan) January 10, 2021
Skrng tinggal 110. Utk memerintah kena 111+1 MP.
SOP yg ketat. Lepas ada vaksin. Lepas selesai banjir. Beratur hanya 1 kali. Penjarakkan. Pakai mask. Tiada ceramah2
Jika tak setuju, tak mengapa.
A user who goes by the name Najwan Khalid was among those who retorted to Ahmad over his opinion.
“Apologies YB, but the cause of Covid (19) becoming worse now is due to the Sabah election, it is getting worse. If we have a general election it will destroy the country. Why are Malaysian politicians selfish? The people will become victims,” the user said.
In response to the barrage of criticisms, Ahmad made several other postings, saying he was merely offering an opinion.
“I’m only giving a suggestion for a way out from the problem of the Perikatan Nasional government having less than 112 MPs. There are only 110 left for PN. To rule we need to have 111+1 MPs,” he said.
“SOPs (will be) tight. After there is a vaccine. After floods. Line up only once. Distancing. Wearing masks. No ceramah.”
“If you don’t agree. It’s fine.”
In a subsequent tweet, Ahmad Maslan said the government can go on with having 110 of the current 220 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat provided the constitution allows for it.
“I apologise if my suggestion has offended any party. There are no ill intentions," he said.
“Differences in opinions are allowed in this country. The solution must also be found.” – The Vibes, January 10, 2021
