SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has overplayed his card in delaying the 13th general election, giving Pakatan Rakyat a greater chance of winning than it ever had before, according to the MP for Shah Alam, PAS’ Khalid Samad.
In an interview with FMT, Khalid said Najib had become the laughing stock of Malaysians for delaying the dissolution of parliament despite calls by the public, including numerous political leaders, for the election to be held as soon as possible.
He claimed that the political situation was no longer to Barisan Nasional’s advantage but was ripe for Pakatan to take over the reins of the federal government.
“He thought delaying would make the situation better for BN, but he has been proven wrong.”
He said Najib was still undecided about the election date even as the automatic dissolution of some state assemblies was imminent. For example, the Negeri Sembilan legislature will dissolve today.
Khalid said Najib should have called for the general election “a year or a year and a half after becoming PM” because he “came into power by default” with Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s resignation.
“Any leader worth his salt would have called for elections to prove that he was given the mandate fairly, and that the rakyat accepts him as PM.”
He said Najib had been proven wrong in his decision to delay the dissolution of parliament in hopes that it would give BN an advantage.
“The last minute problems that have surfaced because of this delay have only made the situation worse for BN. The people have lost confidence in the PM and BN.
“I really don’t think there is a better time for Pakatan Rakyat to take over.”
Parliament will dissolve automatically on April 28 unless Najib dissolves it by executive power before then. Elections must be held not more than 60 days after that.
