KUCHING, July 31: Sarawak will remain under a state of emergency until Feb 2, 2022, and as such the Sarawak State Elections will be put on hold until then.
The new proclamation of the Emergency has been agreed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, in a federal gazette dated July 30, in which the government said the emergency extension is “to prevent any further increase in the spread of the epidemic of Covid-19 if the general election is held”.
A state of emergency covering Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah was first declared on Jan 12 and supposed to be lifted tomorrow (Aug 1).
The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (Sarawak DUN) was supposed to be dissolved on June 7 after coming to the end of its term and elections are required to be held within 60 days, but a state of emergency covering Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah was declared from Jan 12 to Aug 1, thus suspending the polls.
Now that the Emergency is nearing its end and elections must be held within 60 days from Aug 2, the government has expressed concerns if allowing the State polls to take place would worsen the current Covid-19 situation.
“And whereas Clause 1 of Article 150 of the Federal Constitution provides that in the said circumstances that we may issue a proclamation of emergency to suspend the general election to the DUN in order to prevent any further increase in the spread of the epidemic of Covid-19 if the general election is held.
“Now, therefore, we in exercising the powers conferred on us as aforesaid proclaimed that a grave emergency exists and that this proclamation shall extend throughout the State of Sarawak from Aug 2, 2021 to Feb 2, 2022,” said the King in the gazette.
It also noted that the gazette shall be laid before Parliament pursuant to Article 150(3). — DayakDaily
