Dato Peter Minos
KUCHING: The exact date for the 14th general election (GE14) to be called is anyone’s guess, but for political observer Dato Peter Minos, he believes that it could be in April.
According to him, the Parliament term ends on June 24 and by law, this can be extended for 60 days until Aug 24.
“However, no ruling government would want to go to the polls at the last or second last month — it’s too risky in case of sudden incidents such as serious economic downturn, or the top leader is incapacitated by illness.
“If you were to hold an election then, it could be disastrous. So, I believe July and August (dates to hold elections) are out and we have parliamentary session from March 5 to April 5, which is also not a feasible time to hold the election,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Minos also pointed out that the election could not be held between May 15 and June 15, in view of the fasting month this year, which might commence mid-May.
“It is not normal to have an election during the fasting month. Therefore, the election is most likely to be held either in March or April – when exactly is that date, is anyone’s guess.
“However, based on hints from our Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) and Deputy Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi), it looks like it will be (called) very soon,” he said.
Minos also noted that all Barisan Nasional (BN) parties have been ‘singing the same tune’ – indicating that they are ready to face the election, while the coalition’s top leaders actively sorting out their list of candidates.
“The opposition seems ready too, as they have decided on their Prime Minister’s candidate and the allocation of seats among the four component parties.
“The voters are just waiting – in fact, the people are a bit tired of hearing about the general election; they are now in the mood of ‘to be done with it – the sooner, the better’ as some voters have said to me,” he remarked.
So far, the media has been keeping a watchful eye for any hint that Najib, Ahmad Zahid or any of the cabinet ministers might drop during their speeches.
The most recent hint was when Najib told 1,200 participants of the PM-1MDB Foundation Special Haj Programme 2018 in Putrajaya earlier this month, about the pilgrims to witness two ‘Raya’ occasions before performing their ‘haj’ (pilgrimage to Mecca).
“July 14 means that two occasions would have passed – one being Hari Raya Aidilfitri and the other, another ‘hari raya’.
“You will depart (for Mecca) after the other ‘raya’,” he was recently quoted by a national newspaper, which noted that the word ‘raya’ might refer to the Malay phrase ‘pilihan raya’, which means ‘general election’.