‘PM has caved in to the demands of Umno leaders’

PETALING JAYA: The general election should not be held now as some areas in Negri Sembilan are already experiencing floods, says Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

“Only last night, some areas in Kuala Pilah were flooded, and some residents had to be moved to temporary relief centres,” he said.

Aminuddin said people in other states might also be affected as the authorities have forecast bad weather in the coming weeks.

However, he hopes voters will still come out in full force on polling day.

Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, President of Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s decision to call snap elections is a result of pressure from Umno leadership.

The Jerlun MP alleged Umno leaders had pushed Ismail Sabri to dissolve Parliament despite the impending floods to win the election with low voter turnout.

“Nevertheless, Pejuang and Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) are prepared to go all out to win the people’s hearts and enough constituencies to form a government,” said Mukhriz.

Gerakan Tanah Air is a loose coalition of Malay NGOs and opposition Malay-based political parties.

Meanwhile, the DAP’s central executive committee will meet tonight to discuss their election preparations.

He said although they did not find the snap election appropriate at this point, they respected the decision under the Federal Constitution.

Loke, who is also Seremban MP, said the party also abides by the Pakatan Harapan coalition decision not to dissolve the Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan state assemblies.

The Pakatan Harapan will hold a presidential council meeting tomorrow.