KUALA LUMPUR – The coming Johor polls can still be held despite the recent rise in Covid-19 infections as the latest Omicron wave is not as severe as previous ones, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
He said in a press conference today that the ministry has finalised its recommended standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the polls, which have been presented to the National Security Council (NSC) and Election Commission (EC).
“The (Health) Ministry is of the stance that the impact of the Omicron (variant) is not as adverse as the Delta variant, and that the state election can proceed with the SOPs to be announced soon.”
Khairy said the ministry considers the nation to be currently well-equipped to handle the Omicron wave as the public health system is not yet crippled despite the spike in daily infections.
“For now, the ministry still has a handle on the situation as it is not yet at a level where our hospitals are burdened with cases,” he said.
On January 22, Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar assented to dissolving the state assembly after granting an audience to Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad at Istana Bukit Serene.
The EC will be having a meeting on February 9 to discuss the nomination date, polling date and other matters related to the upcoming Johor election.
During the Melaka election on November 20, Khairy had prohibited any activity, gathering or social event related to the polls, beginning from October 25 to November 27.
Nonetheless, the state reported a sudden 57% spike in hospital admissions due to Covid-19 infections during the peak and second week of the state election.
As a result of the increase, bed occupancy of hospitals in Melaka became a worrying issue as 77% of hospital beds were filled, 24.1% of them by Covid-19 patients. – The Vibes, February 7, 2022
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