Opposition Members of Parliament call for snap polls

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition MPs and non-governmental bodies held a meeting at Parliament and called for snap polls to be held within a year following the probe into the 1MDB controversy.

They also wanted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to go on leave until the probe is over.

Negaraku patron Datuk S. Ambiga said if Najib were to go on leave, this would leave the Barisan Nasional government in limbo and would require the formation of a unity government.

“Maybe it is time we look at a caretaker government,” said the former Bersih chief.

“There has to be a unity government of sorts. And there must be a promise of fresh elections in one year.”

The meeting, held at the Parliament square after its original venue was booked for a Perdana Fellow programme, was attended by most Opposition MPs, except for PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng also said that snap polls should be held soon, claiming that money allegedly transferred into Najib’s personal account had been used to fund the last general election.

“Although the Opposition may not win, at least we will have a clean Government,” said Lim, who is also Bagan MP and Penang Chief Minister.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail urged Najib to take the “gentlemanly” route by taking a leave of absence during the investigation.