KUCHING, Oct 18: Datuk Peter Minos opines the Sarawak state election could be held either in November or December at the earliest, while adhering to the Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP).
According to the former Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy infomation chief, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg during the PBB convention in Sibu on Oct 3, and also during the recent Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) annual general meeting (AGM), had openly hinted that the “election is at the corner”, which means very soon.
“With the surges of Covid-19 infections emanating from the recent Sabah state election, some people especially from the opposition side had openly called for the election to be delayed, giving their reasons.
“But they forgot that by law, the Sarawak state election must be held by April 2021, unless it is extended until June. No ruling party and government wants to have the polls in the last month because that will create big disadvantages to itself.
“Following history and past practices, elections were usually held at least six months before the life of the state assembly expired. So, I predict it will be held in November or December, the earliest, and latest by February or March next year,” he opined in a press statement today.
Minos asserted that the mood and readiness for the polls within Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), especially in PBB components are at their highest, and any delay may put a little damper on the current mood and expectations.
He noted Singapore and New Zealand had recently held their elections despite facing the Covid-19 pandemic, and there is no reason that Sarawak could not hold its polls.
“Following anti-Covid-19 SOP, if the peninsula and Sabah people are totally prevented from entering Sarawak for campaigning as possible Covid-19 carriers, if election and campaign crowd be strictly limited to a maximum of 50 persons, and if all the people involved in it wear face masks and observe and enforce the SOP, the state election can and may be held in November or December. There is no reason why or cannot (sic),” he added.
At the same time, Minos opined that the opposition is against an early election because they need time to solve their many serious internal problems, and are using Covid-19 fears as an excuse.
“Now is for the Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to think about it and then decide when exactly to have the state polls, and in the coming 4th PBB convention which will be held in Kuching on Oct 25, will see another stronger and firmer hint from him. That I am pretty sure,” he added. — DayakDaily
