KUCHING: The United Malay National Organisation (Umno) deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan believes Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg would make the best decision regarding the state polls.
He thought that Abang Johari would take into account public interest before dissolving the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
“For the Sarawak election, the expiry of DUN is on June 7, 2021. If the state government serves until the expiration, the state election will be held 60 days from June 7, 2021, this allows the state election to be held in Aug 2021.
“If an emergency is being declared just to avoid the state election, whereas it can be held at least the next 10 months,” he said in a Facebook post on Monday.
He said he understood the concerns of Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on holding the Batu Sapi by-election and the Sarawak election in a situation where Malaysia is facing the pandemic.
“But by declaring a state of emergency as a reason and a way to postpone both elections is not only unnecessary but not the best way.”
Mohamad said knowing that Barisan Nasional (BN) would not contest in the Batu Sapi seat, he called upon other political parties to give way to Warisan to contest in Batu Sapi without being challenged.
“This is in honour of the late Datuk Lieu Vui Keong, a former Member of Parliament for Batu Sapi and to avoid the by-election being held at this time.
“If such an understanding can be worked out, then we can give way to Warisan in Batu Sapi by-election as a national consensus to reduce the impact of Covid-19 outbreak on the community. If this happens, the Batu Sapi by-election is not needed.”
Apart from that, he said Malaysia has an Election Commission (EC) that is independent and is able to conduct elections under any circumstances in accordance with the requirement of the constitution.
“It is for the EC to decide on how it will conduct the elections with the health protocols during the pandemic. The EC is credible in ensuring the democratic process runs smoothly.”
