LETTERS: The suffering of thousands of flood evacuees in many water-inundated areas and the high number of Covid-19 patients reported daily do not seem to have any moral or health bearings on Umno leaders.
Since the past few days, they have been making noises, demanding that a snap general election be held amidst these calamities.
It seems that they are throwing humanitarian advocacy and civilian protection into the bin for the sake of their political gimmicks and agenda.
All these started with Umno's Tajuddin Abdul Rahman recently calling on Pas against working with Parti Bersatu Pribumi Malaysia, helmed by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Tajuddin, seen as a staunch ally of former prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, had suggested that Pas violated the Muafakat Nasional charter by becoming a component party of the Perikatan Nasional government.
He also issued a warning to Pas leaders, reminding them about the importance of fulfilling a promise.
Tajuddin's claim of Pas joining PN alongside Bersatu without Umno's agreement, however, was rebutted by Pas who said it was the party's right to work with whichever party it is comfortable with.
Tajuddin, Najib and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi are among Umno leaders who have been vocal in criticising Muhyiddin, accusing him of sidelining Umno for key government posts.
A few days ago, Tajuddin, who is Umno election director, upped his ante, saying Umno would work with Pas, and not Bersatu, in the general election.
He also did not dismiss the possibility of Umno working with DAP, PKR and Amanah, saying cooperation with anyone is not impossible in politics.
And other Umno leaders have since joined the bandwagon — and their noises are getting louder that the general election be held.
And today, Barisan Nasional, of which Zahid is chairman, sacked BN secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa as, they claimed, "his views are not in sync with the BN's lynchpin party".
Annuar is said to have failed to toe party lines and sided with the Bersatu-led PN government instead of the party.
Annuar, who is federal territories minister, has been constantly defending PN over several issues — all these must have incurred the wrath of Umno leaders, including Zahid and Najib.
From one Umno leader to another, they keep making political demands at the expense of the thousands of rakyat who are now suffering due to the pandemic and floods. Seemingly, their political greed has intensified and the rakyat no longer matter.
Why are these leaders in such a hurry to have the general election now? Has this got anything to do with their court cases?
It was reported that concerns were running high that several Umno leaders who are undergoing graft trials would be set free.
Take Zahid, who is facing a total of 87 charges in two separate trials for alleged criminal breach of trust, money laundering and bribery, and Najib, who is facing charges of corruption and abuse of power over transactions involving billions of ringgit linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd and SRC International Sdn Bhd.
Najib and his son, Nizar, are appealing over tax payments totaling RM1.7 billion due to the Inland Revenue Board.
Politicians, please take note. This is just not the right time for Malaysia to hold a general election.
The pandemic has claimed hundreds of lives since it erupted early this year while heavy flooding has ruined the lives of many thousands of Malaysians in Pahang and Johor.
Do we want to see fatalities in the thousands, only then we can start to think rationally again, for peace and harmony?
The prime minister has given his assurance that Malaysia would hold a general election when the pandemic is over.
Muhyiddin was quoted as saying recently that "if you asked me, even yesterday I might have advised the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament for the general election to be held. But we all know the problem is Covid-19".
He also said the PN government would return the mandate to the people and leave it to them to choose which
government they want.
So, why can't Umno leaders and members be patient for a little while longer? We are facing a new wave of Covid-19, with cumulative cases rising more than four-fold of late. And don't forget about the floods, too!
As chaotic and restless as those families affected by the pandemic and flooding are, do we want our nation and people to be as chaotic and disintegrated when the general election is called?
People are fed up with unending politicking and they want political leaders to help them, not constantly fighting for power.
Kamariah Mohd Zin
Shah Alam, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times