DESPITE the emergency proclamation on Sarawak and Covid-19 concerns, some local politicians seem eager for state polls to take place.
Over the last 24 hours, two senior Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) politicians – Datuk James Jemut Masing and Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi – highlighted the need to hold the election as soon as possible once the pandemic is contained in this state or herd immunity is achieved.
This message is risky as Kuching is considered one of the districts with high numbers of the Delta variant. The number of Delta variant cases went up to 93 in late July from 17 in June, and was found in the Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sibu, and Miri districts.
Since the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has granted Sarawak another six months of emergency until February, the authorities should use the time to address the pandemic.
Pre-election campaigning contributed to the movement of people in rural Sarawak, and could very well be a factor for Covid-19 cases in these settlements.
Sarawak politicians must halt their pre-election campaigns now.
State Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is in support of the emergency proclamation, should convince his colleagues in government that holding polls this year is unsafe.
There are serious public concerns that any preparation for polls will lead to more Covid-19 infections and further burden the healthcare system.
GPS can still get the mandate it so eagerly wants when it is safer for public movement.
Sarawak has had 462 deaths and about 77,000 Covid-19 infections since the pandemic started 18 months ago.
It is time for GPS leaders to respect the Agong’s proclamation and focus their efforts on addressing the pandemic – not politics. – The Vibes, August 1, 2021
