Move to defer Bugaya byelection hailed

SEMPORNA: Amir Baha Pagagah, 58, regards as a godsend the emergency declared in Bugaya in view of the Covid-19 situation to defer the state by-election scheduled for January 16.

The former community leader hailed the declaration of the emergency by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, saying the government had the well-being and safety of the people of Semporna at heart.

Bugaya is one of the three state seats in the parliamentary constituency of Semporna, the two others being Senallang and Sulabayan.

“I believe the Yang di-Pertuan Agong issued the decree with utmost concern for the people and to prevent a resurgence in Covid-19 cases which are now on the decline,” he told Bernama.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced in a statement on Wednesday that the King had consented to declare the emergency to cancel and postpone the Bugaya by-election and the parliamentary by-election for Gerik in Perak.

Mad Nain Nasehi, 57, a villager of Kampung Sungai Gajah, said the emergency is the best measure to stem the spread of Covid-19 in the community in Semporna.

He said no one would want to see a repeat of Semporna becoming the epicentre of the Covid-19 infection as it did when Sabah went to the polls in late September.

Everyone must remember that now is the time to battle the Covid19 pandemic and not to compete for power, he said, adding that the by-election can be held once the disease no longer poses a threat to the constituents of Bugaya.

Trader Noorudin Abdul Hussin said the constituents are vigilant against a resurgence of the disease, and expressed the hope that the by-election will be held only after Semporna becomes a Covid-19 green zone again.

Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president Datuk Jaujan Sambakong said the postponement of the by-election is to protect the people from Covid-19.

Nevertheless, he said, the party is always prepared to defend the seat whenever the by-election is held.

The by-election has been necessitated by the death of Warisan assemblyman Datin Manis Muka Mohd Darah, 65, on November 17 due to kidney problems.

Amir Baha, meanwhile, said that when the by-election is held later, the campaigning should involve only party leaders and supporters from among the people of Semporna.

“There should be no leaders or supporters from Kota Kinabalu and Peninsular Malaysia, as was the case during the state election, so as to prevent people from outside bringing Covid-19 to Semporna,” he said.