Rafizi launches no to elections during floods petition
SHAH ALAM - PKR Deputy President Rafizi Ramli has launched a petition to object to the 15th General Election (GE15) to be held during the monsoon season.
Rafizi said only the voice of the people can send a clear signal that they want politicians to focus on floods instead of looking at personal gains and political positions through elections.
“Help me bring your voice to politicians. Sign this petition and spread it to as many people as possible through all channels.
"I am just a citizen. With the help of hundreds of thousands of other citizens' voices, our common voice will be heard by politicians," he said in a statement on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
Rafizi further claimed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was under pressure from Umno to hold GE15 as soon as possible.
"If Parliament is dissolved within a month from now, GE15 will be held during the flood season. All weather reports predict a more severe flood disaster this year.
"Even before the monsoon season begins, flash floods are reported in places that have not previously experienced such severe flood disasters," he said.
He added that Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi boasted that Umno was willing to wade through the flood for the sake of an earlier GE15.
"All political parties will be adequately prepared when GE15 is called. The issue is not about political parties campaigning despite facing floods.
"The main issue is that all parties need to mobilise energy to face the flood and all things that can be delayed or avoided should be postponed first," he said in his petition in change.org.
He said it will cost the country RM1 billion if elections were held during the floods, adding that the money could be put to better use to put together volunteers to help flood vistims.
“The people's funds are better channeled to efforts to deal with disasters.
