KUCHING, Nov 6: The Sarawak government under Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is denying young Sarawakians their right to vote by rushing to hold the 12th State Election (PRN12) before the end of this year to avoid Undi18, opined Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
Chong said there was no reason why GPS would rush into this election when there is “absolutely no necessity” as Sarawak was scheduled to undergo the Emergency Ordinance until Feb 1, 2022.
“GPS has actively or proactively requested for the lifting of the Emergency in the midst of this Covid-19 pandemic so that the election will be held before the end of this year.
“One of the main obvious reasons is to avoid Undi18, and those between 18 to 21-years-old will be denied their right to vote,” he said during a press conference held Live via DAP Sarawak’s Facebook page, today.
Chong pointed out that Sarawak is also currently experiencing the highest Covid-19 related death rate in the country.
According to him, Sarawak has recorded the highest Covid-19 death rates for the past month, and one of the highest in terms of hospitalisations and ICU utilisation.
“Yet under these circumstances, GPS is calling for an election when it is absolutely unnecessary,” he added.
Chong, who is also Kota Sentosa incumbent, suggested that the Sarawak government instead should focus on normalising, stabilising and helping the State’s economy recover.
He said the Sarawak government should put 100 per cent of their focus and energy to ensure that the State can recover from the pandemic.
“I think now is not the time (for election) because we are moving from Phase 3 to Phase 4 (of the National Recovery Plan) and businesses are starting to open up,” he said. — DayakDaily
