PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has given the thumbs down to the proposal for the 15th general election (GE15) to be held during the monsoon season, saying that there may be a rise in infectious and water-borne diseases.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said there were several factors that would determine the suitability of holding elections, including labour, safety, facilities and health.

"Usually, we would avoid holding elections during the flooding season, because when it floods, there will be a rise in infectious diseases, and water-borne diseases too will increase.

"These infectious diseases would need treatment. So, from the Health Ministry's point of view, it is not suitable to hold elections during the flooding season," he said at a press conference today.  

Khairy also said a large number of people would also be required to be on duty if elections were held during the monsoon season, where they would also need to take care of temporary evacuation centres.

Facilities such as schools, normally used as polling centres, would also be used as temporary evacuation centres, he added.

Asked if he had mentioned this to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Khairy responded briefly and said: "I don't need to voice this out, he understands. He knows this very well."

Meanwhile, Khairy explained that his lack of political statements was to avoid tarnishing the credibility of his ministry.

"Especially during a pandemic, the health minister must focus on health matters. If I only comment on politics, the credibility of the ministry will be tarnished and people will say that we only care about politics.

"Until Parliament is dissolved, I choose to speak less about politics and (instead) complete my work.

"I don't want loose ends, and I want to be able to hand over (duties) to the future health minister properly."

Khairy also said he needed to get the Health Ministry's officers ready for a transition, and that they also should be prepared to be on autopilot once Parliament is dissolved.

"If I pretend that elections aren't happening, then they would not be ready. So, the (ministry) officers have to be ready.

"What's going to happen to the Health White Paper (for example) if I'm no longer here in November or December?

"I have to (get them prepared). There must be a business continuity plan. It would be irresponsible if I wait until the last minute," he added.