[UPDATED] No curfew, military rule in Batu Sapi: Muhyiddin

KOTA KINABALU – The proclamation of an emergency in Batu Sapi was done to postpone the by-election there in view of the Covid-19 wave in Sabah, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The polls will be held when the coronavirus situation in the state has been addressed, he said in a live address today.

“There will be no curfew or military rule. Residents will continue with their daily activities under new norms.”

He said the cabinet notes that Malaysia’s third Covid-19 wave was caused by the September 26 Sabah election, where compliance with health standard operating procedures was very low.

“The Perikatan Nasional federal government guarantees that once the pandemic ends, a fresh by-election will be called to fill the vacant seat.”

He said the emergency declaration comes after much deliberation by the cabinet on November 13 about Covid-19 cases in the state before a proposal was made to the Agong.

“The proclamation of an emergency was done to protect people’s lives.

“The government does not take this matter lightly. The cabinet agrees to call a postponement of the by-election to stop the spread of Covid-19 among residents.”

Muhyiddin said the Election Commission (EC) is finding it hard to get officials to work during the polls due to fears of catching the virus.

“As of November 6, the EC was only able to appoint 143 election workers out of the 873 needed for the by-election.”

He added that authorities cannot stop people from undertaking inter-district travel for an election, as Malaysians’ right to vote is enshrined in the constitution.

Election staff from Kota Kinabalu, too, would have to travel to Batu Sapi to work during the polls.

The prime minister said the by-election would expose senior citizens to the risk of contracting Covid-19.

Batu Sapi has 7,377 residents above the age of 60.

“There is no guarantee that senior citizens will not catch the virus if they go out to vote, or take part in campaigning and other activities,” said Muhyiddin.

He said the efforts of healthcare workers should not go to waste, adding that the cabinet sought the attorney-general’s advice before proposing to the king that an emergency be declared.

“The A-G says there is no way to stop the by-election unless there is a declaration of emergency.” – The Vibes, November 18, 2020 – The Vibes, November 18, 2020