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MIRI – With the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s consent to a proclamation of emergency, Sarawak leaders are unsure whether the 12th Sarawak election can proceed.
The state election had been expected to be held on or before August 7.
Sarawak United Peoples Party (SUPP) information chief Adam Yii said the unprecedented situation has caught all political parties by surprise.
He told The Vibes that with the announcement, uncertainties lie ahead in the coming months.
“An emergency at the national level will definitely have implications on us in Sarawak, as we are part of Malaysia.
“However, whether or not a national emergency will mean that the coming state election will have to be postponed is still a big question mark.
“I am sure the ruling GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak)state government will further discuss this matter and its impact on the state election.”
Aside from SUPP, GPS comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
Yii, who is also Miri mayor, said as far as economic activities are concerned, they are expected to proceed as usual, even in an emergency.
He added that an emergency declared for health reasons is to ensure the government can focus on protecting citizens.
“We will have to wait for the prime minister and national leaders to disclose to the rakyat what to expect in the coming days, weeks and months ahead since the emergency may be in effect until August 1.”
GPS controls 68 of the 82 state constituencies in Sarawak.
The current term of the Sarawak legislative assembly ends automatically on June 7.
The Election Commission will have 60 days from then to conduct nomination and balloting.
However, in Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin's address this morning, he said general elections, state elections and by-elections will not be held during the emergency period.
Meanwhile, Yii said the situation in Miri is under control today, despite it being under conditional movement control order (CMCO) due to an explosion of 94 Covid-19 cases yesterday.
“A lot of testing is being done on people who are found to be close contacts of Covid-19 patients. Health frontliners are doing their best.”
Miri, Kuching and Sibu have been declared Covid-19 red zones due to a recent sharp rise in infections. – The Vibes, January 12, 2021
