KUCHING, July 25: Only the intervention from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Head of State (TYT) can delay the coming 12th State Election (PRN12) from being held once the Emergency is lifted, says Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing.
Masing, who is also Party Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, said he hoped that a situation would not arise which would warrant the Agong a legitimate legal excuse to stop the Sarawak general election from being held.
“Once the Emergency is lifted on Aug 1, 2021, Sarawak has no choice but to hold a general election within 60 days. Unless, the Agong and TYT of Sarawak intervene and stop the PRN12 being held due to the dangerous spike of Covid-19 cases in the State,” he said in a statement today.
Masing was commenting on a news article by a local English newspaper that was quoted as saying that the “State polls can’t be put off anymore”, which was published today (July 25).
According to Masing, Sarawak is on its way to achieving the targeted 80 per cent herd immunity, which means the majority of people in the State would be protected from the deadly impact of coronavirus.
He pointed out that in spite of the 80 per cent herd immunity, stringent standard operating procedures (SOPs) must continue to be enforced, including closing of the State’s border from outsiders, starting from the nomination day to polling day.
“The Election Commission (EC) must allow Sarawakians to vote. Therefore, EC must find ways and means for Sarawak voters to exercise their rights to vote, within the confines of SOPs as stated by the State government and its relevant agencies,” added Masing. — DayakDaily
