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KOTA KINABALU – He has already made preparations to contest in the Batu Sapi by-election but bears no ill will after it was called off today due to the imposition of emergency rule in the parliamentary constituency.
Hamzah Abdullah, 64, said the Yang di-Pertuan Agung’s decision to proclaim an emergency in the red zone district of Batu Sapi is appropriate in view of the Covid-19 pandemic in the area.
This is because the number of Covid-19 cases has increased there and holding an election would put over 30,000 voters in Sabah’s east coast area at risk of catching the deadly virus.
“The issue of whether the emergency proclamation is against the constitutional rights of every voter to elect an elected representative is something that lawmakers and constitutional experts can argue about later.
“But right now I think the postponement of the Batu Sapi by-election is indeed the wise thing to do despite the fact that I have already made all preparations to face the challenges of the by-election,” he told The Vibes tonight.
The former Sabah Amanah and Sabah PAS chairman however said the by-election must be held before the current federal government’s term ends in 2022.
Hamzah, a local boy, had earlier expressed interest to stand as an independent in the polls which had been slated to take place on December 5.
Despite having lost in seven elections since 1986, Hamzah has his sights set on his hometown of Batu Sapi.
He had opted not to stand in the Sabah state election in September because he was keenly eyeing the federal seat.
In a statement earlier today, Istana Negara said the decision on the emergency was made following the advice of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and in view of the Covid-19 situation.
Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said a new date will be fixed for the by-election. – The Vibes, November 18, 2020
