Since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the dissolution of Parliament back on Monday, critics including certain politicians have spoken up to condemn the decision.
Malaysians have also been working hard to educate each other on how one can vote in the upcoming general election.
However, one particular politician who is adamant on stopping the general election from happening is Klang MP Charles Santiago.
In a video posted yesterday on his social media profiles, the MP explains that he is seeking a court order to stop the 15th General Election from being held in the next 1-2 months. He also elaborates on the rationale behind his actions.
“I have filed a lawsuit against PM Ismail Sabri, the Government of Malaysia, as well as SPR,” he said in the video.
He states that it is imperative to stop GE15 for a few reasons:
1. The dissolution of Parliament was a solo decision.
According to Santiago, the decision to dissolve parliament must be an advice based on a cabinet position. This did not happen as 12 members of the cabinet wrote to the King asking him not to dissolve Parliament.
“One minister actually said cabinet wasn’t consulted before they dissolve parliament,” he said.
2. It infringes on the peoples’ right to vote
Holding GE15 in the next 1-2 months contravenes Article 119, that is the right to vote, because the monsoonal floods will force people to choose between voting and dealing with the floods.
When polling stations, access roads to those stations and their own communities are flooded, people have to make a decision on whether to protect their homes, save themselves and their families or to go and vote.
“And chances are, they will not decide to vote. They will stay at home to protect their houses, to save and to take care of their family members,” said the DAP politician.
“Therefore, this election is not a fair election.”
3. The management of the election process is vague
Santiago states that he has also wrote a letter to the Election Commission of Malaysia (SPR) asking them how they are going to manage the floods.
“If there is flooding in polling stations and the areas surrounding them, how are you going to manage the election process?”
He allegedly wrote two letters to the commission, one on October 3 and another on October 10. Both letters were met with zero acknowledgement and response.
“So, my view is that they don’t have a plan. That is why they’re not responding,” he said.
Klang a flood-prone area
Santiago concludes by reminding his audience of the devastation brought on by the floods in December last year with Klang being one of the worst-hit areas.
“I am left with no choice but to seek legal address so that I can protect the people, especially the people of Klang as Klang is a flood-prone area.”
“I saw the volume of water last year. I worked with people. We rescued people last year during the floods and I don’t think you want to have an election period in those circumstances.”
“It works against democracy, the interests of people, and it makes a fool of the electoral process,” he added.
Watch the full video below:
@charlessantiagoklang Why does it matter? Watch the video to find out why I have filed a lawsuit against the decision to dissolve Parliament ? #undibanjir
What do you think of his reasonings?
