SPAOH, Nov 7: The Bukit Saban seat will remain a Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) fortress in the coming 12th Sarawak Election (PRN12).
Bukit Saban incumbent Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said he is confident that the seat will be won by GPS.
He believes a vote for GPS is a vote for continuous development, political stability, and a better future for Sarawakians.
On the reasons for the timing of PRN12, he said the coming ‘landas’ (monsoon) season expected in January and February next year, along with the fear of the emergence of new Covid-19 variants are the main reasons why the GPS government prefers to have the PRN12 to be held in the near future.
He said the decision was reached after much consultation and deliberation with the relevant authorities.
Uggah said this after meeting with Bukit Saban Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) grassroots leaders and committee members here today.
“Holding the election during this rainy period will be a herculean task when widespread flooding may happen,” Uggah said, adding that PRN12 could not wait for the Covid-19 situation to get better.
On repeated accusations by the Opposition saying that the state government is insisting to hold PRN12 now because of Undi18, Uggah said it was mere propaganda to cast the GPS government in a bad light.
“There is no guarantee that all of them will be anti-GPS government in disposition,” he added.
On the Covid-19 vaccination programme implemented in Sarawak, Uggah said Sarawak has vaccinated 90 per cent of its adult population.
He added the State is in the process of carrying out vaccination for adolescents and booster shot programmes.
Uggah observed that the number of Covid-19 cases has declined compared to the high numbers in September’s cases due to the highly infectious Delta variant.
“There is no telling if a new and even more dangerous variant may emerge in the future.
“While we are excited about the election, we must not let our guard down. We must always follow the usual standard operating procedures (SOPs) from the Health Ministry.
“For the purpose of the election, the Health Ministry and the Election Commission will draw up the SOPs,” he explained.
Uggah said as per the SOPs for the Melaka state election, among others, no house-to-house campaigns or visits were permitted.
As such, he added the grassroots leaders and party machinery would play crucial roles in getting party members to remain united and supportive of all GPS candidates.
“We will have to conduct our campaigns largely through social media, posters, and text messages,” said Uggah. — DayakDaily
