PETALING JAYA: There is unlikely to be any move to hold the 16th General Election (GE16) this year, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who is also Pakatan Harapan communications director, said there has been no indication from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that GE16 will be held this year as the government’s efforts to resolve the people’s problems must continue.
“However, the Prime Minister has reminded Pakatan leaders and MPs to always be prepared for any possibility.
“This includes state elections such as in Johor but it may not be too soon.
“The focus of Pakatan leaders, especially those serving in the Cabinet, is to ensure that our plans to bring about change and reforms can be implemented as effectively as possible,” he said after the Lembah Pantai Teachers’ Day celebration yesterday.
Fahmi added that the Pakatan national convention, scheduled to be held in Johor this weekend, is expected to set the coalition’s electoral tone amid speculation over early state polls in Johor and Melaka.
He said Anwar, who is also Pakatan chairman, is expected to outline the coalition’s direction at the convention, which will guide its election machinery at both state and national levels.
“In his message, we will receive the direction amid speculation surrounding the possibility of state polls in Johor, Melaka and beyond.
“The address from the coalition’s top leadership will set the framework that will subsequently guide the election machinery at both state and national levels in terms of preparations and seat negotiations,” he said.
Touching on the reported pardon sought by Low Taek Jho from United States President Donald Trump, Fahmi said there should be no forgiveness or clemency for the fugitive financier, who must return to Malaysia to face court proceedings.
In heeding calls made by 1Malaysia Development Berhad task force chairman Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Fahmi said the damage caused by Low, better known as Jho Low, was too great to be set aside.
“Although the matter has not yet been discussed by the government, I agreed with Johari that Jho Low should not be forgiven.
“The wrongdoings and damage he brought upon our country were far too great. There should be no clemency given to someone like him,” he said.
It was reported that Low had sought a pardon from Trump after submitting a application to the United States Department of Justice this year, according to a notice posted on its website.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said a multi-agency retreat to strengthen efforts against scams will be held on May 23 and 24, focusing on strategic measures to improve coordination between enforcement agencies in tackling scam-related crimes.
He said the retreat would address issues related to fraud and online scams, including loan shark activities, job, investment and love scams, as well as other crimes involving the misuse of network services.
