KUCHING: Ensuring that 80 percent of the population are vaccinated as a condition for holding the 15th General Election (GE15) will invite speculations, assumptions and cause uneasiness, especially among politicians and their hardcore supporters.
A political analyst Professor Datuk Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman said it can hamper efforts in speeding up the GE15 which many parties have been hoping for a long time.
“On the other hand, perhaps for some people who are more concerned about the issues of safety and wellbeing of the people, see this statement as a positive step towards ensuring that the safety of the people remains as a top priority.
“In other words, this statement can be seen from two different angles, it depends on their respective views,” he said.
He was commenting on the statement by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM) (Special Duties), Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Mohd Yusof that GE15 would not be held as long as the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) has not reached 80 percent of the people vaccinated against Covid-19.
Elaborating further, Mohd Fadzil said among the sentiments that would be raised was the perception that the current government seemed to be looking for whatever reasons and excuses to stay in power.
He said that such perceptions would be difficult to dispel even if the intentions conveyed may be good.
“If not handled properly, it has the potential to be used as a highly politicised material until it becomes out of control.
“Therefore, it is best at this time that there is no need for any statement to be given, especially related to the GE because what is important at this hour should be the focus on efforts to combat Covid-19 and to expedite the vaccination.
“The issue of the GE should not be linked; it is better to leave it to the top leadership of the government to make any statement.
“It is not something that can be announced lightly without looking at a larger and more comprehensive perspective and its implications towards the current stability,” he said.
However, he said for Sarawak, the situation was quite different from the GE15 as the deadline for the 12th State Election (PRN12) was approaching.
“Currently, only the declaration of emergency can prevent the PRN from being held.
“The increasing situation of Covid-19 in Sarawak may also be taken into consideration in view of postponing the PRN, but it is not an absolute obstacle unless the pandemic is out of control,” he said.
