Campaign period ‘sufficient’

SHAH ALAM: The campaigning period of 14 days set for the general election is sufficient, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Umno vice-president said the party welcomed the Election Commission’s (EC) announcement on nomination and polling dates, saying political parties should make full use of the 14 days for their campaigns.“It is enough (the campaigning period). There have been times when the period is even shorter than this.

“Every party should plan their campaigns according to the days allowed (by the EC),” he said after launching the opening of the Kuala Selangor Malaysia Entrepreneurs and Cooperatives Carnival at Dataran Eco Grandeur here yesterday.

The EC announced that polling day has been set for Nov 19.

Nomination day is on Nov 5 and early voting will be on Nov 15.

Ismail Sabri also said he wished to defend the Bera parliamentary seat, adding that everyone will need to wait for the announcement by Umno.

Asked whether Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who also attended the event, will contest in Kuala Selangor, Ismail Sabri said the party will decide.

“It will be announced either by the party president (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) or the state liaison chairman in each state.

“Normally, it will be announced by the state liaison chairman and a letter of appointment will be handed over to the candidates,” he said.

To a question whether Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be contesting in Pekan, Ismail Sabri said it will be up to the EC to decide.

It was reported that Pekan Umno division deputy chief Datuk Seri Zamri Ramly said the names of five people, including Najib, were listed as candidates for Pekan.

He also said there were no plans to name Najib’s children Datuk Nizar or Nooryana Najwa to contest in their father’s parliamentary seat.

Earlier in his speech, Ismail Sabri said Budget 2023 is a promise that can be fulfilled for the people.

He called on the voters to support him and Barisan Nasional to ensure that whatever that was promised in the Budget will reach the people.

“Our budget is not about empty promises, unlike other budgets which claimed that toll fares would be abolished or petrol prices would go down.

“We drafted our budget based on the country’s financial capacity, which means that the money is ready and it is ready (to be disbursed),” he said.