KUCHING, June 12: Depending on the Covid-19 situation in Malaysia, Sarawak’s state election will depend on Election Commission (EC) decision, even if it passes its expiry term, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg said today.
Sarawak has one more year before its current term of the State Legislative Assembly expires.
Malaysia is currently under Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).
“We are guided by the EC on how and when to hold the state election especially in this current situation right now,” Abang Johari said after attending Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council meeting today.
When asked if the Covid-19 threat is still around and if there are any provisions under the Sarawak constitution to delay its election, he pointed out, “No. Unless we are under emergency. Otherwise or under normal circumstances, no. If EC says proceed, we cannot say no or ask for an extension.
At the same time, Abang Johari who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president has called to all of its party elected representatives to prepare for the election.
“I do not know when is the election going to be held, but everyone must prepare. I have asked all our elected representatives to go down to the grass root level.
“Our term expires in June 2021. Although we have one year, we must prepare early. Just like any sports, you need to go for training before you compete,” he pointed out.
Abang Johari added that apart from PBB, other component parties of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, such as Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) will be asked to prepare for the state election.—DayakDaily
