Flood season not the right time to hold polls, says Khairy

It would not be conducive to hold the 15th general election (GE15) during the flood season as many factors need to be taken into consideration, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin says. 

Besides health considerations, he said, the health ministry was of the view that many factors, including manpower and public safety, must be taken into account. 

"Firstly, manpower as quite a lot would be needed for the election while many hands would be needed as well during the monsoon season to handle temporary evacuation centres (PPS), to take care of people’s safety, and for evacuations.

"Secondly, many schools are used as PPS, and schools are also used as voting centres," he said in Putrajaya yesterday.

From a health point of view, Khairy said due to the weather conditions at that time, there would be an increase in water-borne diseases as well as other illnesses such as fever and flu. 
 
"So, the health ministry's view is that it is not conducive to hold an election during the flood season," the Rembau MP said when asked to comment on the matter. 

On Sept 17, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he would announce the date for the dissolution of Parliament soon to pave the way for GE15. 

Asked whether the health ministry had proposed what it felt were suitable dates for GE15, Khairy said the matter had been discussed in general but that it was up to the prime minister to decide. 

The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecast continuous heavy rain from mid-November onwards, leading to major floods at the end of the month.

MetMalaysia expects the weather impact to be more significant given that the northeast monsoon will be prevalent during that period, with a high risk of continuous heavy rain and large-scale flooding.