GEORGE TOWN: The agreement between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan that there would be no general election until next July must be respected, says Padang Besar MP for Umno, Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin (pic, right).

       The Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister said they must be respectful as it was crucial to put the people’s needs first.

       "We must be honourable, otherwise what would people think of us.

       "The agreement was crucial and supported by the people," he said during a press conference at the Peranakan Batik and Vintage exhibition at the U.A.B Building in China Street Ghaut here on Sunday (Dec 19).

       The agreement signed earlier this year called for an indirect political truce so both the government of the day and the opposition can focus on dealing with the pandemic and restoring economic normalcy in the country.

       Zahidi was responding to questions by the press about the chances of there being an early election since the victories secured by Barisan in Melaka and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in Sarawak, might make it seem like a good option.

       Zahidi said that the general election could wait as the government needed to address the challenges from the pandemic and to rebuild the economy.

       When asked about the recent results in the Sarawak polls, Zahidi said the elections had shown that people were tired of politicking and it was best to have one party ruling.

       GPS retained power with more than a two-thirds majority.

       In an overwhelming victory, the ruling coalition secured 75 out of the 82 seats, improving their performance in 2016.