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KUALA LUMPUR: De facto Law Minister Takiyuddin Hassan says that the federal government can request Yang di-Pertuan Agong to declare a state of emergency in Batu Sapi or Sarawak to delay elections there.
He said Putrajaya could consider this proposal if the need arose, adding that this was in line with the Federal Constitution.
Takiyuddin said this in response to a question from Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) who asked if the government plans to have an audience with the Agong again to request that an emergency be declared in certain areas such as Batu Sapi and Sarawak.
If deemed necessary, the government might think so. In terms of the constitution, it can be done, ”he said, adding that article 150 of the constitution establishes that the King had the power to declare an emergency in the whole country or in a part of it.
The Batu Sapi by-elections will take place on December 5, and the Sarawak state elections will take place in June next year.
The Federal Constitution establishes that by-elections must be held within 60 days after the determination of the vacancy of a seat in Parliament, while state elections must be held within 60 days after the dissolution of the state assembly.
Takiyuddin also said that the holding of the elections in Sabah had cost RM130 million, and that most of the money was spent on procurement, rental of election equipment, ICT systems, logistics and allowances for election officials.
