By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, July 27: Sarawak will be awaiting the decision of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on whether or not the Proclamation of Emergency will be extended after Aug 1 to give way for the State polls.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said as the nation is still under the Emergency at present, and the power to end or extend it lies with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
“Whether there is a new declaration of Emergency or otherwise, we will have to wait together,” he told a press conference at the launch of the Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OUCCI) at a hotel today.
He further said that Sarawak can only wait for the decision by strategic agencies like the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Election Commission (EC) to weigh on the feasibility to extend the Emergency or not before the State can think about holding its election.
“There are three things that we have to consider. The first is the Covid-19 situation whether the situation had improved which is based on the figures of Covid-19 cases.
“The second one is whether the EC has finished (preparing) their standard operating procedures (SOP) in that sort of situation.
“And thirdly, as far as we are concerned, health is more important. We do not want (the Sarawak election) to cause a major outbreak like what happened in Sabah. But on the other hand, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) State government also needs the new mandate to move forward so just wait and see what will happen in one or two weeks time,” he added.
Abang Johari also said that if the Emergency ends on Aug 1 as scheduled, the State Election would be held within 60 days.
“But we must make sure that the situation is conducive (for us to hold an election). In other words, if there is an improvement in our Covid-19 situation.
“We do not want to hold an election where the people themselves would be in fear to go out to vote. So that is very important,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
