Protest in Malaysia over possible polls during monsoon season

Several dozen people protested in downtown Kuala Lumpur on Saturday against holding the general election during the monsoon season, amid widespread speculation that the polls would be in November.

KUALA LUMPUR – Many of the protesters held up placards and banners in Bahasa Malaysia that said “Nyawa dulu, baru PRU” (Lives first, then general election), calling on the authorities to prioritise lives rather than national polls.

The gathering in front of Sogo mall was organised by the small Muda party, which is aiming to ally itself with the main opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition.

Several police personnel were on hand to monitor the protest, but did not intervene.

The protest started at about 4pm and ended around 4.45pm.

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who was among the speakers during the rally, said everyone should remember the devastation caused by the floods in 2021.

“In times of disaster, it is not the time for politics. If the elections are held during the floods, how can the people be taken care of,” he asked.