Reluctance for GE15 shows Opposition fears the people's will, says Ahmad Zahid

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called out the Opposition for criticising the government but at the same refusing to face a snap general election.

The Umno president said the Opposition had labelled the Federal Government "cap ayam'" (common/mediocre) and kept criticising its policies, including the ban on chicken exports.

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"However, when there are suggestions to call for the 15th General Election (GE15) so that the people will give the mandate to a new government, the Opposition will be angry.

"They will scold and say that calling for GE15 shows we are not concerned about the welfare of those in the B40 (bottom 40%) income group," he said in a statement on Thursday (June 9).

The former deputy prime minister also noted that the income gap between the rich and the poor in the country had widened since 2019.

"GE15 is the most democratic step for the people to regain a strong government.

"With a stable and strong government, efforts to help the people will be more effective.

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"In addition, it had been agreed that (the present) government is only temporary until the upcoming general election," said the Bagan Datuk MP.

He also hit out at the Opposition for coming up with all kinds of excuses to delay the election.

"Previously, it used the excuse of Covid-19 to delay GE15. Now it is using inflation as an excuse.

"One excuse after another actually reveals their real concern.

"They are worried about facing the determination of the people whom they once deceived to gain power.

"They just want to buy time to (give themselves) more space to lie and deceive the people again.

"Insya-Allah (God willing), with the return of a stable government, any challenges can be handled to bring the country back on track," he said.