KUCHING, Oct 19: DAP Batu Kitang chairman Abdul Aziz Isa opines there is no reason to rush for the State Legislative Assembly (DUN)’s dissolution and call for the Sarawak 12th State Election in view of the increasing Covid-19 cases in the country.
He said the news regarding the dissolution of the Sarawak DUN became hotly debated when the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg hinted that the state election will be held by this year.
“However, his statement received brickbats and criticism from the vast majority of Sarawakians. This is because most feel that it is not appropriate due to the increasing rate of Covid-19 infections in this country.
“Although the State government has assured that the number of Covid-19 infection cases in the state is under control, the virus can mutate and spread rapidly as the country had witnessed in the recently concluded Sabah state election,” he said in a press statement today.
Aziz, who is also the special assistant to Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, pointed out that a number of statements from PBB senior leaders in support of Abang Johari’s statement proved that the PBB is not sensitive to the feelings of the vast majority of Sarawakians.
He opined if it is true that PBB leaders prioritise the safety and welfare of the people of Sarawak, then the dissolution of Sarawak DUN and the Sarawak 12th State Election should be postponed until Sept 7, 2021.
“There is no reason for Abang Johari to dissolve Sarawak DUN this year as the state mandate will end on Sept 7, 2021,” he said.
He also noted the obsession of PBB leaders to call for state elections this year proves that the PBB only cares about their political survival without considering the security and welfare of the people.
In fact, he said, if Sarawak’s 12th State Election is held by this year, it will be difficult for young people working outside Sarawak to return to vote due to the 14-day quarantine order that will be imposed on them.
“Of course, this 14-day quarantine order will invalidate their desire to return to the state to cast their votes and eventually deny them the right to exercise their responsibilities as voters
“If Abang Johari still insists on dissolving the Sarawak DUN and hold the 12th State Election while our country is still facing the Covid-19 pandemic, I urged the people of Sarawak to reject PBB as a sign of protest and don’t give PBB the chance to return to power,” he added.
Meanwhile, Aziz also said DAP Batu Kitang branch is in a state of readiness should the Sarawak DUN be dissolved by this year to pave the way for the state election. It has also formed the election machinery in Kampung Haji Baki here for the first time ever.
He claimed that before this no political party had ever formed the election machinery at Kampung Haji Baki and this is a first for the residents there too.
“The DAP Haji Baki Election Machinery Main Committee will be chaired by Marzuki Kambrie and assisted by Mohd Ridhuan Hassimi as secretary,” he said, adding that the members comprised Kampung Haji Baki residents from various backgrounds.
“It is expected that more residents of Kampung Haji Baki will join this election machinery,” he said. –DayakDaily.
