[UPDATED] Sarawak PKR calls for February state election post-Undi18, booster jabs

KUALA LUMPUR – Sarawak PKR has called for the state election to be held next February, when the Covid-19 vaccine booster shots have been completed and post the implementation of Undi18.

Its state leadership council communications director Jame Stephen in a statement today said the party is deeply concerned about the safety, fairness, and integrity of the looming state polls believed to be held before Christmas this year.

With Covid-19 cases still high in the state, he said the government should announce steps that will be taken to ensure compliance with election standard operating procedures, and calls for the population to be administered booster shots.

“Why can’t the elections be held in the first quarter of 2022 when the booster vaccine programme would have been rolled out, and 600,000 new voters will also be eligible to vote alongside the youth through Undi18?

“It is clear the Sarawak government is aware of the dangers of calling a state election, as shown by the recent construction of Covid-19 field hospitals by the army in preparation for an avalanche of new infections, admissions, and rising mortality rates – including breakthrough cases where fully vaccinated patients succumbed to Covid-19.

“It appears that these temporary hospitals were built in anticipation of a state election that would see thousands of new cases caused as a result of voters gathering together – including political parties, their members, and government machinery – to comply with the interests of a very privileged few who want to see their mandate renewed immediately,” he said.

Instead of holding the elections now, Stephen said the Sarawak government should be focusing on boosting the vaccination programme, bolstering hospitals and intensive care units, supporting frontliners, reducing Covid-19 cases, and enabling economic recovery across the state.

He said 665,543 Sarawakian youth and new voters – representing 54.5% of the total voters in the state – will be able to vote once Undi18 is implemented by December 31.

“However, to hold elections before Christmas Eve and the implementation of Undi18 shows that Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg is in a rush to get re-elected before his new voters – those aged 18-20 – have a chance to cast their ballots.

“What would their opinions be of a man who is in the highest political office in the state, and is preparing to hold elections before the implementation of Undi18? There will be many more elections in the future, including local polls.

“The state government should, therefore, aim to enfranchise all Sarawak youth and hold the elections after the booster vaccination programs,” he said.

Should remote election campaigning be the new norm in the state, he said there needs to be stable widespread broadband access in order to give opposition parties equal access to mainstream media platforms – including print and television.

Unfair advantage

“To hold elections at this time when ground campaigns will likely not be allowed represents an unfair advantage for Gabungan Parti Sarawak, which controls mainstream media news outlets and has maintained an iron grip on power for nearly 58 years.

“Around 50% of Sarawakians live in rural settings where internet access is very limited and campaigning remotely via social media is extremely challenging.”

He said in April, Abang Johari promised that over 150 rural areas will be provided with broadband access by the end of the year.

“Recently, he (the chief minister) said 90% of rural Sarawak will have broadband access by 2022,” he added.

Stephen also urged Abang Johari and the state government to put the people before their political ambitions and desires to maintain their grip on power.

“We have seen the passing of Tan Sri James Jemut Masing and other Sarawakians due to complications arising from Covid-19.

“Many of us have lost family members and friends whom we cared for deeply.

“It is time for Abang Johari and the Sarawak government to put the people before their own political ambitions,” he said.  – The Vibes, November 4, 2021