SHAH ALAM - Umno and the party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi should have empathy for flood victims traumatised over the worst floods last year, said Ketari state assemblyman Young Syefura Othman.
This comes after Zahid has pushed for the 15th General Election (GE15) to be held this year despite flood warnings.
She questioned their priorities as the December floods saw property damage which is yet to be repaired.
"The trauma some of the people have is worrying because every time it rains heavily, they are on alert as some of the damaged infrastructures is yet to be repaired.
"So where is their priority? Is it to the people or to themselves?,” she told Sinar Daily.
She said the government should be focusing on the welfare of the people as monsoon approaches.
"No one is certain if the floods will be as bad as last December but the trauma faced by the flood victims is real.
"We need to be prepared because if we don't, what happened last year will happen again," she said, adding that victims were trapped for more than 24 hours, property and lives lost.
She questioned the desperation for some to have elections as soon as possible.
"Are they worried that there would be certain representatives who will be sent to jail or worried over losing power? Or do they want to hurry with the election because they know that if the election is held during the floods, the people will not want to vote?," she said.
She said this when attending a book launch titled Corruption and Hypocrisy in Malay Muslim Politics: The Urgency of Moral-Ethical Transformation at Karangkraf Media Group headquarters today.
The book, written by Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Kamal Hassan, was launched by Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah.
Meanwhile, former Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said no one is heartless to hold elections during flood season.
"All parties understand the hardships faced during floods and pandemic," he said.
Umno Youth Chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said it is possible for GE15 to be held this year, particularly in early November to avoid the year-end flood season.
He said that if Parliament was dissolved in early October, the Election Commission (EC) would be able to hold the 15th general election within four weeks.
He also said that GE14 records have shown the Parliament dissolved on April 7, 2018, and the EC designated May 8, 2018, which was a month later, as the election day.
"The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) predicted massive floods at the end of November.
"Many, especially the opposition have urged for GE15 to be postponed.
"I agree the election should be delayed if floods are truly happening.
"Based on the EC's records, past elections and taking into account flood predictions proves that we have time to have elections before the flood season if the Parliament is dissolved in October," he said.
On Sept 11, Zahid said the coalition is aiming for triumph following its catastrophic loss in the 2018 elections and has received an "obvious signal" that general elections cannot be postponed.
The signal was "loud and obvious that now is the time" to have elections, he informed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, and this had been discussed numerous times.
Zahid also questioned if there was an "instigator" that is delaying the 15th general elections.
"My chemistry with the prime minister is still strong. We have no problems. GE15 must be held this year,” he said.