Malaysian PM calls for early polls as ruling party seeks to rise above graft cases
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob called for an early election on Monday, to win a stronger mandate and stabilise the rocky political landscape that has persisted in the wake of the multi-billion dollar 1MDB scandal and COVID crisis.
An election had been due by September next year, and the ruling United Malays National Organisation's rush for early polls comes as some of its leaders face the prospect of long jail terms over graft charges.
Factions pressing Ismail to hold early elections support former premier Najib Razak and party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, both of whom were charged with corruption after UMNO lost power in the 2018 election. They say they are victims of a political vendetta.
Opposition politicians fear the election could become a vehicle for disgraced politicians like Najib - who was jailed in August - to find a way back into positions of influence, and undermine reforms aimed at fighting corruption.
In a televised speech, Ismail - Malaysia's third prime minister since the last election in 2018 - said the country's monarch had agreed to his request to dissolve parliament on Monday, and an election date would be announced by the election commission.
Polls must be held within 60 days of the dissolution of parliament. Voter turnout could be reduced if the chosen date falls during the year-end monsoon season.
A year-end change in government could also hamper the economy, which is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and has begun to feel the pinch of rising costs and a global slowdown.
Ismail, whose coalition had a thin majority in parliament, said he was calling for the election to end questions over the legitimacy of his government and return the mandate to the people.
"The people's mandate is a powerful antidote for the country to manifest political stability and create a strong, stable and respected government after the general election," Ismail said.
The election commission did not have an immediate comment. Read More...
