By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 23: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob tells people to “wait first” on the date or timing of the impending 12th Sarawak Election.
He emphasised that the timing of the election depends on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the power to repeal the Emergency Order lies with him.
“Not yet, so let’s not supersede the King(‘s power).
“(Anything to do with) dissolution (of the State Legislative Assembly) and revoking the Emergency Order, it is the decision of the King so we should not overstep his authority.
“If there is a suitable date to hold the election, we have to wait for the King to announce the decision,” he said in response to a question if the election process has been finalised for the State Election to take place in the nearest time.
Ismail Sabri highlighted this at a press conference after inspecting the Petrajaya Hospital project today.
He was accompanied by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Federal Work Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof and Minister of Local Government and Housing Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Of late, speculations have been swirling that Sarawak’s overdue election may be called in November with news reports early this week even claiming that the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) would be dissolved on Thursday.
However, for the State Election to take place, it would require the revocation of the current Emergency Order in Sarawak which was declared to prevent elections from being held during the Covid-19 pandemic. The emergency will last until Feb 1, 2022.
With Sarawak getting mixed reactions to holding an election, Abang Johari had on Thursday denied claims that he had sought consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to lift the state of emergency in Sarawak to pave the way for the 12th State Election.
He also admitted that he has no power to decide on the election date nor the authority to announce the election, and thus would leave it to the wisdom of the King. — DayakDaily
