KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 — Incumbent Klang MP Charles Santiago today accused caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob of being complacent for deciding to conduct the 15th general election (GE15) during flood season.

He said Ismail Sabri also failed to set proper standard operating procedures (SOP) despite repeated calls for it.

"His sudden sense of urgency comes a tad too late. He dissolved Parliament knowing that GE15 would coincide with floods because the Malaysian Meteorological Department warned so two months ago.

"Giving in to pressure from Umno, he willingly sacrificed the well-being of Malaysians in an attempt to keep Zahid Hamidi out of jail,” he said in a statement today referring to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Charles questioned the truth behind Ismail Sabri’s claim that the government was prepared to handle the floods.

"Before dissolving parliament, he claimed the government was prepared to handle floods. Now he says he will kick start the conversation with the Election Commission (EC) to look for alternatives if floods hit.

"Why wasn’t this discussed in the earlier meetings? Is the government prepared? Is Ismail Sabri Yaakob lying?

"Does this mean no discussions have happened yet about the fact that a third of evacuation centres nationwide will also be used as polling centres?

"Or if the government has enough funds to mobilise emergency rescue and other important issues?” he asked.

Yesterday, Ismail Sabri was reported saying that it is up to the EC to call off GE15 if the country is hit by major floods.

MetMalaysia recently issued a warning of heavier rain and thunderstorms from the north-east monsoon season that would begin on November 7 and last until March next year.

It said this would trigger rainfall sooner than previously predicted and would cause at least four to six periods of constant heavy rain.

The Tanjong Karang constituency in Selangor was hit by its first flash flood since the 14-day electoral campaign period kicked off on Saturday.