Labour movements: Snap polls now disastrous, heed Agong’s decree!
(Focus Malaysia) – As several politicians from the ruling coalition call for snap polls, labour union leaders hurl brickbats at the former for putting people’s lives and livelihoods at risk.
“Our union has many reasons to oppose a general election at this point of time and the decisions are not formed using rocket science!
“Unfortunately, our political leaders are more interested in jostling for political power than helping the rakyat, who are desperate for help,” said UNI-Malaysia Labour Centre president Datuk Mohamed Shafie BP Mammal, in a statement.
Since last year, the newly-minted Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and a few other Umno leaders have been pushing for fresh polls to settle the current political stalemate.
The Pontian MP even said recently that those with a PhD would understand why the need for snap polls despite a deadly pandemic raging across the nation.
However, fellow Umno leader, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister (Mosti) Khairy Jamaluddin shot back saying it was highly irresponsible for anyone to call for general election during a health crisis.
The Rembau MP even equated Ahmad Maslan and his ilk of having the IQ of a “goreng pisang” (banana fritters).
Yesterday, Umno MP for Machang, Datuk Seri Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub withdrew his support from the Perikatan Nasional Government, leaving the coalition with a mere one-seat majority.
Training his guns against politicians, Shafie reminded the former that COVID-19 cases are breaching the 2,000 mark daily, leaving the economy in a limbo.
He added that many have lost their jobs and suffered pay cuts, and are yearning for a caring leadership to help them out.
“Many companies have closed down, leaving many becoming unemployed. They are also having difficulty getting another job as economic opportunity have shrank.
“Due to that, families are getting affected badly. Just check the statistics. Cases of domestic violence and child abuse have increased sharply during the pandemic period,” Shafie said.
In addition, the union leader said, flood waters are wreaking havoc in many states, leaving people bewildered and destitute.
“But what do our leaders do? Just fully focused on their petty and nonsensical political infighting,” Shafie lashed out.
Ahmad Maslan emboldened by divisional leaders
On that note, he urged politicians to heed the decree issued by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah who called upon politicians to set aside their differences and help the rakyat during the unprecedented times.
“Our political leaders are making a mockery out of our beloved Agong’s decree. The funny thing is, these are the same politicians who swore to abide by the monarch’s decree in the past,” said Shafie.
He then called upon the Government to only dissolve the Parliament once the pandemic had subsided, in addition to having the economy heading towards recovery.
“If our leaders fail to do these things before calling for polls, they will only anger the people even more,” Shafie opined.
On related matter, Malaysia Trades Union Congress (MTUC) Penang chapter said that it was shocking that Ahmad Maslan could make the suggestion, given the increasing number of COVID-19 infections.
“I’m wondering whether citizens of the country ought to be exposed to the virus, during a chaotic mass mobilisation of voters in a general election.
“As a point of reference, we only need to look at what happened in the Sabah state snap elections,” its secretary K Veeriah said, in a statement to FocusM.
He added that such a move would be disastrous to the people, as vaccines are only scheduled to arrive in two months times.
“But considering the overwhelming sentiments by Umno divisions against its ally, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, maybe that it why Ahmad Maslan is emboldened to call for snap polls, without consideration the safety of the people,” Veeriah opined
