Dennis suggests holding state election in stages
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau has suggested holding Sarawak state election this year in stages according to health classification zones to prevent sparking another wave of Covid-19 infections.
He pointed out that 90 per cent of the state seats are in green zones and according to the Ministry of Health there is no guarantee that Covid-19 infections will disappear from the state next year.
“Personally to me, now (2020) is the best and appropriate time to hold the state election as we never know what’s coming up next year.
“Worse come to worst, just hold elections in only green areas and later in red or yellow zones when conditions permit,” he suggested.
He was responding to a report in Malay Mail yesterday that the Health Ministry recommended against holding any form of elections as the country was still battling a surge in cases in the third wave of infections.
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah feared that there could be another increase in Covid-19 cases if an election is held now, when the third wave just hit following the Sabah state election.
He said if any type of election needs to be held a new stricter standard operating procedure (SOP) must be looked into and introduced, including no crossborder or cross- district travel, no gatherings and no house-tohouse visits and postal votes.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had declared that he would seek health experts’ view before deciding on dissolution of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN), and being the most experienced chief minister in the country, he would know exactly what needed to be done for the best of the state, said Dennis.
The current DUN term expires in June next year and the election must be held within 60 days after the DUN is dissolved.
Dennis pointed out that as 90 per cent of DUN seats in Sarawak are in the green category, this is enough for Sarawakians to decide the next state government.
He, however, concurred that the state election should be held in a more regulated manner, disallowing big crowds in campaigns and taking longer period for voting to avoid overcrowding.
“For example, polling from 8am to 12 noon can be extended to 3pm in rural areas as most of voting centres in Telang Usan ends by 12 noon or 1pm,” he said.
As the situation in Sarawak is under control, he added, the state can control or disallow those from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah from coming into the state during the campaign period.
“Regardless of who they are, every non-Sarawakian coming into Sarawak must be quarantined 14 days according to SDMC’s requirement for Covid-19 screening,” he said.
Gabungan Anak Sarawak (Gasak), a coalition of opposition parties, is against holding the state election this year, saying health should take precedence over political expediency.
“Forget about election for the time being.
“No matter how good is the SOP, do not take risks as health is wealth.
“Please learn from Sabah experience,” said its chairman Bobby William.
Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) Pujut chairman Bruce Chai agreed, saying politicians must heed and stick to the advice of the experts who had the science, SOPs and experience from the Sabah election.
“We still have time till mid 2021, but the GPS ( Gabungan Parti Sarawak) state government has put into motion their plan to gear up for election, saying it might be difficult to delay it and wanting to ride on momentums of the many announcements.”
Chai said the safety of the people must be above the prerogative of the ruling coalition to dissolve DUN and constitutionality.