Activist doubts Sarawak ready for state polls amid pandemic

KUCHING: Social activist Voon Shiak Ni is questioning whether Sarawak is ready for its next state election which could be held in two months’ time after the end of the current Emergency on Aug 1.

She pointed out the detection of the Covid-19 Delta variant in the state together with a few other variants is a cause of concern and has fuelled fears over the spread of the pandemic in the community.

“I am sure the holding of a state election is the last thing the people want or expect for the next few months,” she said in a statement.

She noted that the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, whose term has ended on June 6, continues to function until Aug 1 this year, by virtue of the declaration of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021.

She added what could happen next would be the state election, which has to be held within two months after Aug 1.

“But are we ready? Are our people ready and most importantly, willing to face the challenges of having a state election amidst a raging pandemic in the state?

“No doubt, there will be increased movement of people when election campaigns are kicked off.

“The aftermath of a state election can possibly be a nightmare,” she said.

Having said that, she, nonetheless, was in praise of the state government for doing a good job in speeding up the vaccination rollout.

She pointed out that as of July 9, a total of 1,700,372 people in Sarawak had registered for vaccination and 1,363,247 had taken their first dose at all the 96 vaccination centres across the state.

She advised everyone in Sarawak not to let their guard down even after they have completed their second dose of vaccination.

“We need to be reminded that vaccination does not help to prevent you from being infected. It helps to decrease the chances of hospitalisation.

“As the highly contagious Delta variant is detected in Sarawak, we all need to be extra vigilant. Observe your SOP at home and workplace. We need to practise the new normal as part of our social duty,” she said.

She added that wearing of face mask or observance of SOP should not be done in fear of being penalised by enforcement authorities but to protect friends and loved ones.