KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Supreme Council member Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim is of the view that a general election (GE) should be held soon to resolve the political chaos and power struggle occurring at the federal government level.
He said since the Covid-19 vaccines were being rolled out to the people, there was no reason for the Election Commission (EC) not to hold the election even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The PBB Batu Kawa branch chairman pointed out that numerous other countries had held their elections during the pandemic, including Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, and the United States of America (USA).
“If these countries can have their elections, what is stopping Malaysia?” he asked.
He added that if the EC was not sure how to hold an election safely during the pandemic, then caretaker Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should provide them with a budget to visit such countries to study how they had effectively held their respective elections.
“I believe that the delaying of the election is the reason for all this chaotic power struggle in the federal (government) right now,” he said, thus stressing that an election was the best way to settle the matter.
Ahmad said the unnecessary politicking showed that these leaders were not thinking of the people but rather of themselves, their positions and their parties.
“I am not talking about any particular party; it seems like all of them are thinking like this. It is very sad,” he said.
He appealed to the country’s leaders to think of the people first, pointing out that such turmoil was detrimental to the people and country.
“For one, how are investors going to have confidence to invest in Malaysia when the political scenario is unstable all the time?” he questioned.
Therefore, Ahmad said there was a need to have a strong image and a sturdy government.
He added that power should be given back to the people to decide who should run the country and bring it to greater heights.
He hoped that the people would make their decisions wisely.
“Having said that, it must be a safe election which is held properly with all the necessary guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said.
Ahmad said once the political issue was resolved, the focus should be on handling Covid-19, getting people vaccinated, and implementing a formula to address the current economic woes.
On the appointment of a new prime minister to replace Muhyiddin who recently resigned, Ahmad believed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and his advisors would know how to determine a good candidate for the position.
“If the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is to select a candidate, it should be a good candidate with an honest heart and a good mind,” he said.
He hoped that the chosen candidate would not be one with a negative track record as this might lead to further issues.
He added that there was no harm if Muhyiddin was maintained as caretaker prime minister until the election could be held.
“Perhaps the election can be held safely in two- or three-months’ time,” he said.
Commenting further on the prime minister’s resignation, Ahmad said it was saddening as Muhyiddin and his Cabinet had organised many programmes which were moving well.
“Of course, there were issues. There is no perfect system and no perfect formula. They were doing their best and I think most of the things that they have done are good,” he said.
