PBDSB flays ‘ridiculous’ suggestion to hold state election in stages
MIRI: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) has dismissed the suggestion by Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau that the state election be held in stages whereby Covid-19 green zones or districts with no cases hold the polls first followed by districts with other colour classifications.
PBDSB president Bobby William in a statement to The Borneo Post yesterday called the suggestion “ridiculous” and questioned Gabungan Parti Sarawak's (GPS) rationale in wanting to hold the state polls in the midst of the third wave of the pandemic when its mandate is only due to expire in June next year.
“This is a ridiculous suggestion coming from an elected representative. The majority of the people will not be happy if the election is to be held now. Many are scared to even send their children to school considering the latest Covid-19 situation in the state.
“This unseen enemy is lurking in our community and right now our focus should be coming up with solutions to minimise the spread of Covid-19 which has affected the lives of all of us and our economy,” said Bobby.
Dennis made the suggestion on Wednesday in responding to a report in Malay Mail that the Health Ministry recommended against holding any form of elections as the country was still battling a surge in infections.
In the report, Health directorgeneral Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah expressed fear that there could be another increase in Covid-19 cases if an election was to be held now, much like the current third wave hitting the country following the Sabah state election.
Dennis reasoned that the Sarawak polls ought to be held before the end of this year in view that 90 per cent of the state seats are currently classified as green zones.
“Personally to me now is the best and appropriate time to hold the state election as we never know what's coming up next year. Worse comes to worst, just hold the elections in only green areas and later in red or yellow zones when the condition permits,” he said.
Bobby meanwhile said that holding the state polls next year when the current term of the state government expires will give more time for the Election Commission to study and come up with a set of standard operating procedures to minimise the risk of Covid-19 spreading.
“I suggest for the Sarawak government to monitor the situation in the Batu Sapi byelection in Sabah which is set for Dec 5, before making any decision on whether or not it is the right time for Sarawak to hold its state election this year,” he said.