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KUCHING: Bandar Kuching MP Dr. Kelvin Yii said that this is not the time for state elections to take place as the government must focus on economic recovery and curb the spread of Covid-19, which is in increase.
He said that although the situation in Sarawak appeared to be under control, an increase in Covid-19 cases was more likely to occur during or after the campaign period.
I was commenting that Sarawak’s twelfth state election, which is due to take place in June next year, will be held very soon.
Citing the recently concluded Sabah state elections, Yii said that when former Sabah chief minister Shafie Apdal decided to dissolve the state legislative assembly on July 30, there were only three cases.
“The peak only occurred from September 8 onwards, two weeks before election day on September 26,” he said in a statement today.
“With the strict implementation of SOPs and immigration controls during elections, we will also prevent legitimate Sarawak residents who work and study in other parts of Malaysia from returning to Sarawak to vote. This will go against the spirit of democracy and the right to vote of the people, ”he said.
Yii also said that there have been all kinds of rumors suggesting that both the Sarawak state elections and the general elections would be held simultaneously at the end of this year.
“There may be a ‘political edge’ in the state government calling for elections, but I think that at this time, all efforts should be focused on curbing the virus and protecting people’s lives and their livelihoods.”
He said the country could not afford another movement control order (MCO), as it would have huge economic, social and mental health repercussions.
