CABINET SERVICE EXTENSION
KUCHING: The current worldwide pandemic has given rise to an interesting proposition, that is, should there be a law in the country to extend the service of a Cabinet/government by five years or more during a time of widespread existential threat (such as the Covid-19 pandemic) until it is resolved?
In saying this, Dr Bernard Ting, a medical lecturer at the Department of Psychological Medicine at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), said due to the pandemic he could not be sure of an ideal time to have a state election.
“But looking at the Covid-19 situation, I think there might be a need to add on a clause in the Constitution if a natural disaster prevents the Cabinet from being dissolved.
“There should be a regulation to allow them to extend their service for more than five years until the natural disaster is resolved,” he said when contacted today (Oct 1).
The psychiatrist also suggested moving the election online.
“Nowadays we have moved everything online, including telemedicine. Could we move the election online too?” said Dr Ting.
Earlier, concern was expressed by various quarters including medical experts over the Sabah state election and its impact on the pandemic situation in the state.
