KUALA LUMPUR – The current inflation does not justify postponing the general election (GE15), suggested Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who doubled down on Umno leadership’s call for early polls.
His comment comes just a day after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob hinted at the postponement of the general election, citing soaring food prices and living costs as reasons to hold off GE15.
Speaking at the Barisan Nasional (BN) convention here today, Najib, who is the coalition’s adviser, said an inflation cycle can last up to three years.
He was implying that the postponement of polls under the pretext of inflation is inappropriate as the issue will still persist.
The former prime minister added that the stakes are too high for BN to consider delaying the national polls and urged those in power to act wisely for the good of the party and the country, and to put aside personal interest.
“If you want to talk about inflation, I know that inflations have cycles. Experts have said that they last between two and three years.
“Whatever it is, we must try. (Party president) Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, (deputy president) Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and the vice-presidents ought to discuss as best you can.
“Make sure we help the prime minister make the right decision, because the stakes are too high. This is not a question of Najib, Zahid or Ismail, but about the future of BN and the country.”
Umno leaders aligned to Zahid have been pushing for an early general election to take advantage of a supposedly weakened opposition, although those in the cabinet are understood to be resisting these calls.
Najib said BN must capitalise on its advantage of being a united front today, describing the opposition as being in disarray.
He cited the previous general election – when he supposedly delayed the dissolution of Parliament – as a key reason why the current government should not hold off the polls while having the advantage.
“The 14th general election was supposed to be held after the Sukan SEA (in 2017),” referring to the mood among the public then after Malaysia, which was the host nation, topped the medal standing.
“If we had held it then, we would have won big. But because of pressure by certain quarters, we postponed the election. And then, the situation changed.
“Today, the opposition is in disarray. In PKR, only 12% (voted during its party election), Bersatu only has two seats in Johor, (support) for PAS and DAP has also diminished. BN, on the other hand, is getting stronger.” – The Vibes, June 1, 2022
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