A LONG-TIME friend from Selangor called me shortly after he heard about the dissolution of the Sarawak state assembly, and said he wishes he can be here to enjoy the “very exciting” impending state election.
“This is not a normal election. This can turn out to be the deadliest election in history,” that was my reply to him.
“Oh yes... the Covid-19 in your state is still very serious,” he replied.
It seems my friend has forgotten that there are still dozens of people in Sarawak who die every day from the Delta variant and new infections, with dozens admitted into intensive care units.
In the midst of the state election frenzy, even the politicians are focusing on their politics, no more on the Covid-19 pandemic.
The danger is that once the election fever heats up, the rakyat will also be so caught up that they too will forget that they are still dealing with a pandemic.
The Health Ministry (MoH) has for the past week listed Sarawak as the state with the highest Covid-19 death rate in the country.
Despite this, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg proceeded to announce the dissolution paving the way for the 12th state elections.
A native community leader likened this to gambling with the lives of the rakyat.
Lakiput community elder Michael Ding, who is a native from the upper reaches of Long Lama district, said he and his community had read about the infection and death rate in Sarawak and is worried about what lies ahead.
Indeed, this is definitely not the time to have an election, especially one that involves a large state like Sarawak with more than 6,000 rural longhouses and villages.
Hundreds of thousands will be coming out to cast their votes on polling day.
The MoH on its official website said Sarawak has among the highest intensive care unit admission rate with about 70% to 80% over the past week.
The health and medical frontliners in Sarawak are also worried.
A local nurse, Cecilia Bungan, who is a church member, said she expects to see a surge in the number of admissions into the Covid-19 wards and possibility of the death rate spiralling beyond control.
The field hospitals in Sibu, Kuching and Miri are still very occupied, not only with Covid-19 patients but also with patients suffering from other ailments.
The Agong, on November 3, declared the end to the emergency imposed on Sarawak, which was to only expire in February next year.
The king made the decision following a petition from GPS chairman Abang Johari.
The lifting of the emergency paved the way for the Election Commission to set the dates for nomination and polling (which is within 60 days from November 3).
So, what are the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that will be imposed to prevent mass infections involving not just the voters but also their families, neighbours and the community?
The answer is straightforward – no number of SOPs can guarantee prevention of the spread of Covid-19.
I know someone who just died from Covid-19.
Two weeks ago, he came to Miri for a meeting and was still jovial, enjoying chats with close friends.
Last week, he ended up in Miri Hospital with Covid-19, suffering from breathing problems.
Within 24 hours, he was placed in an intubator and on life support.
He was said to have endured a horrible final few days as he struggled to stay alive.
He died after three or four days of fighting the coronavirus as his kidneys and lungs were damaged.
I dread to think what lies ahead for us Sarawakians once the Election Commission sets a date for nomination and polling. – The Vibes, November 7, 2021
Stephen Then is a reporter with The Vibes based in Sarawak
