KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has implored all MPs to set aside their political differences and approve Budget 2021 which will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on this coming Friday.
In an online address today, Muhyiddin said it was crucial for elected officials to do so given how the budget will entail many initiatives that were formulated to ease the people’s burden in these trying times of Covid-19.
“I guarantee you that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government will continue to find the best way to manage this huge crisis that we are facing right now. We have only one goal which is to win the fight against Covid-19 and protect the safety and welfare of our people,” he said.
Last Sunday, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had decreed for MPs to support the passing of Budget 2021 as the country needed funds to effectively handle the pandemic plaguing the country but also rejected the government’s plan for a nationwide emergency declaration.
In his speech, Muhyiddin also spoke solemnly on the coming Batu Sapi election on December 5 and the Sarawak state election which can be called anytime, lamenting that if he could, he would rather postpone the two polls.
His worry stemmed from the fact that the elections may be followed by a surge in Covid-19 numbers, just like what happened after the Sabah election on September 26.
“Health Director-General (Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah) was also worried about the interiors of Sarawak that have inadequate medical facilities to handle sudden spikes of post-election Covid-19 infections that may happen.
“Logistically, our frontliners will face a lot of difficulties due to Sarawak’s geography. Not to mention the added costs that will be borne by the government and the toll on the economy if such a spike happens,” he said.
While many have advised him to impose stricter election standard operating procedures (SOP), especially on movement restriction of those from Covid-19 red zones, Muhyiddin remarked that doing so may be construed as an attempt to trample on the people’s democratic voting rights.
“For example, Kuching is currently a red zone and if there is an election, we cannot stop the people there to go back and vote in Samarahan, Sri Aman, Miri, Bintulu and other districts. We cannot stop them because their right is enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“Even if we screen and test them, there is no guarantee that they will not be infected after the testing is done. If you ask me, elections should not be done at all. But what can I do? This is required by the Constitution.
“Unless, if an emergency can be declared under Article 150 [of the Constitution] for Batu Sapi and Sarawak, then yes, we can postpone the two polls until the Covid-19 pandemic is over. If the election is unavoidable, then I plead to the locals there to always exercise caution,” said Muhyiddin. – The Vibes, October 31, 2020
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