KUALA LUMPUR: The general election, state elections and by-elections will not be held during the period of the Covid-19 emergency proclaimed today and to remain in force until Aug 1, clarified Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The prime minister said it is not his intention to not call a general election but the Covid-19 pandemic is the major reason preventing him from advising the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve parliament for a general election to be held.
“This decision is in accordance with one of the five principles of maqasid syariah, namely protection of life. In this context, it is my duty as the head of government to protect the lives of the people from Covid-19 infection.
“This is the main concept demanded by Islam,” he said in a special national address broadcast live by local television stations today.
Nevertheless, Muhyiddin gave a firm commitment that elections will be held once the special Independent Committee to be set up to manage the Covid-19 situation gives the word that the disease has eased off or the country has fully recovered from the pandemic and that it is safe to hold elections. – Bernama
