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KUCHING: The Sarawak government is still weighing between the current Covid-19 situation and the need for a new mandate when considering when to call the next state elections.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang, Johari Tun Openg, said that although Sarawak was now reporting new cases in single digits, it could not be predicted whether the situation would be better or worse in the coming months.
Against this is the fact that the current term of the state legislature expires in June of next year.
“For us, we have to look both ways. We are subject to the advice of the Ministry of Health on whether we should go (to the elections) or not. I am also concerned about people’s health.
“On the other hand, you cannot govern and take action against Covid-19 if you don’t have a mandate.
“So this is a very difficult and complex situation. We have to consider all the factors, then we decide,” Abang Johari told reporters after announcing an extension of the Sarawakku Sayang special aid package here on Friday (October 23).
NGOs and opposition leaders have called for the Sarawak elections not to be held during the current Covid-19 surge in the country, which has been largely attributed to recent Sabah polls.
When asked if the elections would not be held this year, Abang Johari reiterated that the decision was subject to the advice of health experts.
“We are not crazy about power. The important thing is to have a government that has the mandate not only to manage Covid-19, but also to the state.
“We are still weighing it, but it has not been decided yet,” he said.
He added that once the election was called, it was the role of the Electoral Commission (EC) to establish standard operating procedures (SOP) to carry it out safely.
“We let the EC establish the SOP and we follow it. I don’t want to be like Sabah, because people’s health is important,” he said.
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