Mother of all elections? For me it's nothing big, says Hamzah

PUTRAJAYA - Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the coming general election was "nothing big" to him as opposed to the president’s words that it is the ‘mother of all general elections’.

He said voter maturity was crucial.

“I heard the president saying that 'this time, this is the mother of all general elections' but to me this general election is nothing big.

“The important thing is that we have to be prepared to determine the political landscape in this country as something that symbolises the maturity of voters,” he told reporter at Dewan Balora Perdana, National Registration Department, Putrajaya after the launch of a new security document to mark the 74th National Registration Day, today.

Hamzah further said there has been improvement in terms of the people’s thinking towards their leaders, since the political landscape not only symbolises the colours of the parties but also their leadership.

He said the country need leaders with responsibility and integrity and wisdom.

“I feel voters have become wiser,” he added.

On seat distribution, he said it is still an ongoing process.

Hamzah, the home minister added ceramah during campaigning is allowed not only during the election season but anytime as long as the existing standard operating procedure (SOP) were complied.

He said this when asked if the home ministry has given permission for some political parties to campaign as the Election Commission (EC) has not given the dates to officially campaign.

“Ceramah can take place any time but they must follow the existing SOPs.