MIRI – Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg should make a public pledge to not call for a state election this year, partly due to the Covid-19 management on the ground and to include nearly two million new voters coming in via Undi18, a civil society group said.
Rise Of Sarawak Efforts (ROSE) chairman Ann Teo said the chief minister has the power to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong not to lift the localised emergency order before it expires in February.
“The CM yesterday said he does not have the power to decide as it is up to the Agong to lift the emergency order. What the CM said is not accurate. The CM has the power to decide because he is advising the Agong on the matter.
“If the CM truly does not want the state polls this year, he can inform the Agong. The CM should announce his pledge, assuring the public that polls will only be held next year after Undi18 comes into effect, and after the Covid-19 crisis here has subsided.”
She said her organisation has carried out some studies on the Covid-19 situation in Sarawak, claiming the daily infection rate is higher than reported and that ICUs are seeing a surge in admissions.
She added that ROSE has compiled voter data and found that up to 1.9 million new Sarawakian voters will be able to participate in elections next year.
“These new voters will be able to vote once Undi18 and the automatic voters registration comes into effect early next year.
“If Abang Johari insists on having the polls this year, he will be exposing Sarawakians to even more health dangers. He will also be denying 1.9 million qualified new voters the chance to exercise their democratic rights.”
Yesterday, the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Office denied reports that a special press conference will be held in a day or two to dissolve the assembly.
“With regard to reports that a press conference will be called to announce that the assembly will be dissolved, this office wishes to clarify that no such press meeting has been scheduled for now or tomorrow to dissolve the state assembly.”
Abang Johari also denied that he will dissolve the assembly today or tomorrow or that he had fixed a date to do so.
The Borneo Post, Astro Awani and The Star had reported that Abang Johari has set up a special press conference to announce the dissolving of the assembly. – The Vibes, October 22, 2021
