Sarawakians in no mood for elections right now, says PH man
MIRI: Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak secretary Alan Ling believes that the majority of Sarawakians are in no mood to have any election in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, where the recorded number of infections is still high and the bed utilisation rate at the intensive care units (ICU) is still at a critical level.
He points out that the people’s voice ‘is bigger’ than that of political parties, as the voters are the ones who determine the outcome of any election and thus, political consideration should not override the people’s concern over their health and wellbeing.
The ‘political temperature’ in Sarawak seems to have risen over the past week following the Election Commission (EC)’s announcement of the Melaka snap state election this Nov 20 at a time when the country was still recording daily new Covid19 cases in the thousands.
“The question is not whether or not PH is ready for the PRN12 (12th state election), but whether or not the voters in Sarawak are ready to face the risk of being infected through involvement in the electoral campaign and the casting of votes,” he said in a statement.
The term of the current Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) should have expired in June this year, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the august House would only be dissolved after the Emergency Order on Sarawak is lifted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Feb 2 next year.
However, the King is also empowered to lift the Emergency earlier than the set date.
Speculation has run rife that the state election could be held sooner and the Emergency Order would be lifted before its February deadline – reinforced by PBB having finalised and announced its list of candidates for the polls.
Adding on, Ling called upon the state’s ruling coalition, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), to not put political interest above the lives and well-being of Sarawakians in pushing for early election time, warning that the state’s healthcare system could be severely overwhelmed should there be another wave of high Covid-19 transmissions.
“The election can wait – it should only be called after taking into consideration the professional advice from the Ministry of Health and other experts.
“I hope the GPS-led state government, with the resources available, would continue administering the state until it’s safe to hold the election,” said the former assemblyman for Piasau, who is also DAP Sarawak secretary.
Adding on, Ling called upon the GPS to remain focused on fighting Covid-19 first before running the state election.
“The people are not in the mood for political messages now,” he said.