KUALA LUMPUR – Muda is hoping that Barisan Nasional’s (BN) insistence to hold the general election by the end of the year, amid the anticipated flooding, will backfire on the ruling party, its deputy president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz said.
The Puteri Wangsa assemblyman believes such an insensitive move that puts the public’s lives at stake would only infuriate voters, particularly if this is part of a broader strategy to ensure low voter turnout in the coming polls.
Drawing comparisons to the 2018 general election, Amira Aisya noted how the rakyat had come out in droves to vote then despite polling day being fixed on a Wednesday.
The move was seen by many as an attempt by Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration to ensure low turnout, amid public discontent over the rampant corruption involving 1Malaysia Development Bhd, although the strategy failed to keep BN in power.
We saw what happened in the last general election. When people were angry (at the government), even when the election was held on a Wednesday, they came out to vote.
“So, I believe if it is BN’s strategy (to hold an election during the monsoon season hoping for low turnout), then it is not a good strategy,” she said in an interview with The Vibes yesterday.
When asked if she believes Pakatan Harapan (PH) will have the upper hand in the event BN proceeds to hold the election during the monsoon season, Amira Aisya said: “I believe so, yes.”
However, she reiterated her belief that the polls should be postponed to a future date, not for the benefit of PH or Muda, but with the rakyat in mind.
“This is why, if you look at the history of our elections, we rarely have them during the monsoon season. We know during elections, all government machinery and agencies will be focused on the polls.
“But now you also have to focus on the floods. How are our security services and rescue department, for example, going to balance between focusing on the floods and the elections?
“It doesn’t make sense, regardless of which political party will benefit more. The people will be the ones who will be at a loss,” she said.
Amira Aisya was asked to comment on Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s recent statement that the BN machinery is prepared to wade through floods to campaign even if the election is held during the monsoon season.
Speculation has been rife that Parliament will be dissolved by next month to pave the way for the 15th general election, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob also repeatedly saying the polls will be held “very soon”.
Amira Aisya took particular issue with Zahid’s remark, saying the Umno man was extremely irresponsible for “romanticising floods” in his bid to rally party members in facing the polls, when focus should be on assisting the rakyat.
If it is their intention to ensure voters don’t turn up to vote, people are really angry with Zahid’s statement.
“When you say something (like that), I believe the (impact) will be very bad for Umno-BN, because they are only making voters angrier,” she said. – The Vibes, September 21, 2022
