SEREMBAN: The Prime Minister should be left to decide when is the best time to call for the general election, says Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
The Rural Development Minister said Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri would surely weigh his options and take into consideration all factors before deciding on this.
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"The PM knows what the factors or reasons are (that he should consider) and he will make the decision when it is a suitable time.
"Whenever we plan to do something, we have to look at many factors," he said when met after presenting appointment letters to Negri Sembilan Federal Village Development and Security Committee heads.
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On Friday (Aug 26), Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party would not be swayed by calls made by the Opposition to delay the 15th General Election.
He said any delay would give the Opposition more space to craft their strategies, double their propaganda and increase their political attacks against the Malay nationalist party.
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Ahmad Zahid said this was not just his call but that of the supreme council and the decision of the general assembly.
The supreme council, he said, had provided the prime minister with a guideline that the general election should be held when Malaysia achieved herd immunity.
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He said since this has already been achieved, the polls should be called soon.
On Aug 21, Ismail Sabri had said many considerations needed to be looked into before making the call.
He said although it was better to give the people the opportunity to elect a new government, there were matters that still needed to be worked on and resolved, particularly the economy.
Ismail Sabri, who became prime minister on Aug 21 last year had said the global economic forecast for next year was not encouraging and the government needs to find ways to cushion its impact on the country and the economy.
He had also said that Parliament would be dissolved when Umno was confident of its chances at the polls.
In his speech earlier, Mahdzir said Ismail Sabri's government has done well by registering a 8.9% economic growth in the second quarter of 2022.
He said the government has also done a lot more for the people, which include continuing to provide fuel subsidies and not increasing electricity tariffs.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who was also present at the event, said although many saw Ismail Sabri's government as a temporary one, it had achieved a lot in a short period.
He said Ismail Sabri's 100 days in office was a success story as he had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Opposition to ensure political stability, successfully managed the Covid-19 pandemic and other issues such as the increasing prices of foodstuffs, especially chicken.
"Our economy did very well in the second quarter and the unemployment rate was down, among others.
"These achievements in a short period of time have helped stabilise the government and we need to continue to strengthen the economy so we will be better ready for the general election," he added.
