KUALA LUMPUR – The government’s move to seek a localised emergency to postpone parliamentary and state by-elections in Gerik and Bugaya respectively, has been consented to by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
In a statement today, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Agong saw the need for a proclamation of emergency under Article 150(1) of the federal constitution to postpone both by-elections as a means to safeguard the people against Covid-19.
“I had communicated the recommendation by the cabinet to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong so that His Majesty would declare an emergency for the Gerik parliamentary seat in Perak and the Bugaya state seat in Sabah.
“His Majesty consented to declare emergency for both by-elections after he was satisfied with the need for a Declaration for a Proclamation of Emergency under Article 150(1) of the federal constitution to cancel both by-elections that were scheduled for January 16 and postponed to another date which will be determined later,” he said in a statement today.
In seeking His Majesty’s advice, Muhyiddin said the cabinet on December 4 had discussed in detail the effect of the both by-elections if they were to be held during the Covid-19 pandemic that remains prevalent in the country.
“Taking a lesson from the recently concluded Sabah state election, the cabinet is of the view that both by-elections needed to be postponed due to public health concerns as well as threats towards economic livelihood and public order.
“On behalf of the cabinet, I would like to thank the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for his consent to declare an emergency in both constituencies.”
Both seats fell vacant after its respective incumbents Gerik MP Datuk Hasbullah Osman, 63, and Bugaya assemblyman Manis Muka Mohd Darah, 65 died on November 16 and 17 respectively.
Hasbullah died following a sudden heart attack while Manis had reportedly suffered from a pre-existing kidney ailment prior to her death.
The Agong had earlier agreed to proclaim a state of emergency in Batu Sapi, Sabah, effectively cancelling the December 5 by-election on November 18.
That by-election was triggered following the death of Datuk Liew Vui Keong, who died due to a lung infection on October 2. – The Vibes, December 16, 2020
