KOTA KINABALU – Sabah has not forgotten about the Bugaya by-election and it will be held once the localised state of emergency is lifted, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor.
He said the localised emergency imposed about 10 months ago is still in force.
“The localised emergency has not been lifted. But we will bring up this matter (request for the lifting of the emergency rule) when the situation in Sabah gets better.
“We will surely hold the by-election,” he said when met at the Penampang Cultural Hall, near here during the handing out of cash aid to flood victims.
Hajiji did not elaborate on the situation, but he is likely referring to the Covid-19 situation in the state, in which daily cases have been fluctuating after registering under 1,000 daily cases in September.
The emergency proclamation on the Bugaya state constituency was on December 16.
The constituency in Semporna was left vacant after its assemblywoman died of a kidney ailment.
Warisan’s Manis Muka Mohd Darah, 65, died on November 17 before she was sworn in after the Sabah election on September 26 last year.
On the flood aid recipients, Hajiji said this is the government’s commitment towards assisting the people when they are facing difficulties.
RM1,000 cash aid was given to each of the 970 flood victims from Sugud and the surrounding villages.
“The state is also assisting several villages in rebuilding their houses,” said Hajiji, adding that he has made the promise to the Sugud folks during his visit to the area.
On the Sugud flood mitigation plan, Hajiji said work is underway and RM9 million is needed, including the widening of Sg Sugud by 1.13km.
Sugud is one of the areas worst hit by floods after a thunderstorm hit many Sabah west coast districts in September. – The Vibes, November 5, 2021
