KUCHING: It is up to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and Yang di-Pertuan Agong to decide when to hold the forthcoming state election, opined Datuk Snowdan Lawan.
The Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) youth chief stated that to dissolve the Sarawak State Assembly (DUN) is now the prerogative of His Majesty with advice from the Chief Minister.
However, he noted that while the state leadership could advise on the matter, the final decision was with His Majesty.
He was commenting on talks that the 12th state election might be held this year despite Sarawak still under a state of emergency which is expected to end in February 2022, unless it is lifted earlier.
“On our readiness, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as a coalition block and its component parties Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), PRS, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP), and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), we are always ready despite the threats posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“To us, we are facing election every day from the moment the last term concluded. However, we have listened and delivered to the people according to what was in our manifesto during the previous state election.
“Every now and then the people would hear of projects being launched with many more completed for our state, these are the testimony of our promises,” he said.
Snowdan who is also Balai Ringin assemblyman pointed out that GPS had no issue with the implementation of Undi18 and was ready to comply with the High Court’s ruling.
He noted that election amidst a pandemic was not abnormal as it had been done in countries like South Korea and Singapore.
“The people have now learned how to live with the pandemic. Activities go on as usual but in compliance with stringent standard operating procedure (SOP),” he said.
He added that in the event the emergency is lifted and the DUN dissolved, the Election Commission (EC) would come up with the necessary SOP.
“On our part, we will adhere to and comply with EC’s rules and regulations to ensure a smooth polling. To mitigate the pandemic, we can perhaps impose shorter campaign period and use social media more instead of large gatherings,” he said.
Snowdan urged the people to rally behind GPS to ensure continuity in development, more native land issues being resolved, oil and gas agendas continue to be pursued as well as the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) among others.
“All these reflects a credible and genuine state government whose efforts are towards assisting the people and uplifting their living standard,” he said.
