KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah government has left it to the Election Commission (EC) to decide on whether to hold a by-election for the vacant Bugaya state seat following two years without an elected representative.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor today briefly responded: “leave it to SPR (EC)” when asked by reporters on the vacant Sabah assembly seat.
The Bugaya seat has remained vacant following the death of its assemblyman, Datin Manis Muka Mohd Darah on November 17, 2020.
She was never sworn in following the state election held two years ago today.
Sabah minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun when contacted told The Vibes the Sabah government cannot decide on or conduct elections, including by-elections.
“It’s within the powers and prerogative of the EC,” he said.
It is possible that the seat will remain vacant after it goes without any elected representative after three years.
The by-election could not be held after the Sabah election as the country was in a two-year lockdown from the Covid-19 pandemic due to the imposition of emergency rule.
The emergency rule had since been revoked in 2021 but a by-election has not been held in Bugaya, while Melaka and Johor held its elections.
Sabah held its state election on September 26, 2020 and saw the then Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance win the polls.
GRS is now known as the GRS-Barisan Nasional alliance. – The Vibes, September 26, 2022
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