Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg will only hold the Sarawak state election when the new standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been issued by the Election Commission (EC) in view of the current Covid-19 situation in the country.
Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman (PBB-Tupong) pointed this out when debating the Temporary Measures for Reducing the Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Bill 2020 during the DUN sitting on Monday (Nov 9).
He said Sarawak was waiting for the EC to come up with the new SOPs.
“We are aware that the expiry period of our DUN is in June 2021 and there is no way for Sarawak to escape from holding the state election,” added Fazzrudin.
Listing out the numerous Covid-19 stimulation packages provided by the state government, he said they showed public interests were Abang Johari’s top priority.
Fazzrudin said he believed that the state election would not be held if the conditions were still unconducive and could hamper public’s health.
Recently, Abang Johari said he expected a lot of new approaches in the SOPs to be introduced by the EC.
“We have yet to receive information on what the SOPs will be as they are still preparing it but once they finalised it, they will inform us.
“The SOPs will need to be observed by all political parties, not only Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), but all parties that will be contesting in the upcoming state election,” he added.
