Malaysia

[UPDATED] Incumbent Klang MP goes to court to defer elections

Charles Santiago says having snap polls during monsoon season puts voters in danger

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 12 Oct 2022 10:41AM

[UPDATED] Incumbent Klang MP goes to court to defer elections
Incumbent Klang MP Charles Santiago has filed an injunction against the caretaker prime minister, the Malaysian government, and the Election Commission to stop the upcoming snap elections. – The Vibes file pic, October 12, 2022

by Danial Dzulkifly

KLANG – Incumbent Klang MP Charles Santiago has filed an injunction to stop the elections, citing the rainy season and floods.

The summons were filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court yesterday, where caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the Malaysian government, and the Election Commission (EC) were named respondents. 

Santiago is seeking a declaration that the declaration of dissolution contravened S.40(1) of the federal constitution as the request of the prime minister to dissolve parliament was not made in consultation with the cabinet.

He also seeks that the declaration of the dissolution by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong can only be done under S.40 (1) 

"We are not in dispute that the king has the authority to declare the dissolution of Parliament but we believe that the advice given to his majesty is flawed. 

"Furthermore the letter by the 12 Perikatan Nasional (PN) ministers opposing the dissolution is indicative that the advice given to the king was not in consultation with the cabinet, but made of the prime minister’s own volition,” Santiago told The Vibes. 

Caretaker youth and sports minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu had also said the cabinet was not consulted prior to dissolution. 

As such, Santiago also seeks to restrain the EC from conducting elections during the rainy season.

“It is an irresponsible decision by the prime minister and Umno to hold the elections during severe weather conditions,” Santiago said.

He said with 210,662 voters in Klang it is his responsibility to ensure they are not put in danger.

“Klang is facing heavy downpours and increased sea levels. Having elections now is not only unfeasible, but it also is just not safe.” 

view of the Dewan Rakyat members.

Last week, 12 PN Cabinet members sent a letter to the Agong voicing their disagreement for elections to be called within the year.

This has led to Ismail Sabri pinning the blame on PN for creating instability within the government, leading him with no choice but to seek the dissolution of Parliament.

Prior to this, both PN and PH have both stressed that they are against the elections to be held during the year-end flood season.

“Based on publicly available information, I verily believe that it cannot be in the best interest of the nation for the request to have been made for the conduct of general elections in 2022 in light of the impending floods,” said Santiago in the affidavit.

Representing Santiago in his suit is lawyer Surendra Ananth.

Case management of the suit will be heard by high court judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid on October 20. – The Vibes, October 12, 2022

Related News

Malaysia / 2mth

Action should be taken against Dr Mahathir, says former MP

Malaysia / 3mth

RM30 billion investment needed to regulate water industry, SPAN chair says

Malaysia / 4mth

Water authority CEOs risk being replaced if they fail to perform

Malaysia / 4mth

Time running out, view water management as national security issue: SPAN

Malaysia / 5mth

BN raring to have second shot at Kemaman seat if election held: Zahid

Malaysia / 6mth

Court quashes PAS MP’s GE15 victory in Kemaman

Spotlight

Events

UK alumni lauded for stellar achievements as British Council observes 75 years in Malaysia

Malaysia

Don’t let politicians, activists stir up hatred against KK Mart, PBK tells cops

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

7.7 mil people registered in Padu, 2.5 mil cyberattacks, but not one success: Rafizi

By Stephen Then

Malaysia

Farewell Aunty Bersih, you will be missed

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Couple make two trips to workshop to find trapped kitten in car

Malaysia

KK Mart founder, director charged with wounding religious feelings of others over 'Allah' socks

By The Vibes Team

You may be interested

Malaysia

DOSM opens 300 extra counters as Padu registration deadline approaches

Malaysia

Food wastage, growing population major causes of global food shortage

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Penang gets nod for construction of 26 km LRT system

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Padu: No need for excessive information unrelated to one’s financial status, says Abang Jo

By The Vibes Team

Malaysia

Attacks by minority groups on govt policies need to be curbed - Ahmad Zahid

Malaysia

Nuzul Al-Quran: PM calls on Muslims to analyse, interpret the Quran

Malaysia

Geologist pleads guilty to unlawfully ferrying gold residue

By Jason Santos

Malaysia

Muhyiddin files for leave to review Court of Appeal ruling reinstating power abuse charges