Muhyiddin forced Malaysian PM to call for snap polls, says Umno chief

Malaysia's main coalitions Umno and Perikatan Nasional (PN) continue to trade blame over the timing of the upcoming general election, as they face possible voter backlash for putting their political interests ahead of flood concerns.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said PN leader Muhyiddin Yassin forced caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's hand in calling for snap polls by writing to the Malaysian King to state that PN ministers were against the election being held during the monsoon season, thereby demonstrating disharmony in the government.

Twelve ministers from PN wrote to the King on Oct 3 to ask for the election to be delayed.

On Tuesday, Datuk Seri Ismail said he was forced to dissolve Parliament because the actions of the ministers from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Parti Islam SeMalaysia - who are members of PN - caused disharmony in his administration. He also pointed out Tan Sri Muhyiddin's repeated criticism of his administration.