SANDAKAN – Questions abound over the December 5 Batu Sapi by-election, as the conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Sabah only ends a day after.
Since the CMCO does not allow for inter-district travel, voters outside Sandakan are left out, while the Election Commission (EC) has yet to announce the standard operating procedures for the polls.
Sandakan MP Vivian Wong today urged all political parties not to contest, and allow Parti Warisan Sabah to retain the seat unopposed.
“For parties that want to contest in Batu Sapi, I hope the candidates campaign safely, including our ‘high and mighty’ ministers and deputy ministers.”
She said Malaysia should learn from Singapore, which held a general election when the country was in Covid-19 lockdown.
“No talks, gatherings, door-to-door visits, and no physical contact with voters. Campaigning was done via social media, television, radio, live telecasts and more.
“We are in the middle of a pandemic, and we just have to live with this new normal. The candidates and their followers must not go against the SOPs.
“Those who do so must be disqualified immediately.”
On October 13, the EC announced that nomination for the Batu Sapi vote will be on November 23 and early voting on December 1, with the campaign duration set for 12 days.
The by-election is necessitated by the death of Warisan MP Datuk Liew Vui Keong on October 2.
As of yesterday, Sandakan had a total of 1,743 coronavirus patients still hospitalised.
The Batu Sapi constituency is located in this district, which has only one hospital, namely Duchess of Kent Hospital.
Meanwhile, Batu Sapi community activist Azlani Rayqiezan said the CMCO will result in a low voter turnout.
During the September 26 Sabah election, the Sekong state seat under Batu Sapi saw a turnout of only 11,000 out of its 17,000 registered voters.
“I am quite sure that this time, voter turnout won’t be even 50%. People fear Covid-19. The cases in Batu Sapi and Sandakan are increasing daily,” said Azlani.
“It is also troublesome for people outside of Sandakan to return to vote. They are not going to do it.
“The Health Department earlier conducted a free mass Covid-19 screening, and even that had a low turnout because people did not want to leave their home.
“I don’t think people will vote this time, except for members of the political party.”
He added that online campaigning may not be effective in Batu Sapi, as some areas do not have good internet connection.
There are 32,963 registered voters in Batu Sapi, of whom 31,152 are regular voters, and 1,810 are security personnel and their spouses.
To date, Barisan Nasional, Parti Bersatu Sabah, Sabah Star, Parti Cinta Sabah, Liberal Democratic Party, Sabah Progressive Party, United Sabah National Organisation (New) and Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri have opted to sit out the polls.
All eyes are on Bersatu from state ruling coalition Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, as it is the sole party yet to make known its decision.
Warisan has remained tight-lipped over the seat, while independent candidate Hamzah Abdullah has expressed his intention to contest. – The Vibes, November 8, 2020
