ASAJAYA: As the state election is approaching, politicians and their election machinery were advised to campaign in a moderate manner.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the state must learn from Sabah on how to conduct electoral campaigns in accordance to standard operating procedures (SOPs) amidst Covid-19 crisis.
“Sabah had just undergone its state election and as usual, political campaigning involved going from one house to another.
“From there, the SOPs such as wearing face masks, practising social distancing and no handshakes, were not adhered to.
“I believe this has contributed to the spike in the number of cases,” he said, adding that large number of people entering and exiting Sabah during the election might also be a contributing factor.
He said this after performing the Friday prayer with Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at Masjid An-Najah Asajaya here today.
Abdul Karim who is also Asajaya assemblyman further suggested Sarawak to limit the entry of non-Sarawakians during the coming election.
“Let only the candidates go on the ground. There is no need for outsiders from Sabah or Malaya to come here for the election unless it’s urgent.
“Probably the political party’s top leadership can [come to Sarawak] but there is no need for the whole battalion to come down here.
“This has happened in Sabah where a lot of outsiders entered the state. This then increased the risk of the spread of Covid-19,” he said.
Abdul Karim also believed that Sarawakians have already make up their minds on who they want to vote and therefore, there is no need for excessive campaigning but instead, just wait for election day.
On tourism, he said the growing number of Covid-19 cases would lead the state to close its borders or reduce the number of flights to assist in curbing the spread of the virus.
“However, this would not dampen our spirit because I believe this will only be temporary.
“We have gone through a similar process three of four months ago and we will do the same thing to break the transmission. After that, it will subside on its own,” he said.
