KUCHING, July 27: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari has chosen to keep mum on the status of the 12th State Election,
The election, he said, would depend on three factors, namely the current COVID-19 situation in the state, the standard operating procedures set by the Election Commission (EC) and health.
“As far as we are concerned, health is more important. We do not want to be the cause for the situation similar to that in Sabah,” he said when met by reporters after the launch of Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OUCCI) at the Waterfront Hotel here today.
He stressed that the situation must be conducive enough to ensure the safety of voters and not for Sarawak to suffer the same fate as Sabah which saw a Covid-19 spike after the state election there last September.
Similarly, he said that as of now, the status of the current State Legislative Assembly (DUN) is still valid under the Emergency Ordinance.
The emergency which was enacted on January 12 is due to end on August 1.
“Just wait what happens in one to two weeks’ time,” he added.
Sarawak must hold its 12th State Election within 60 days once the emergency declaration ends, unless Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah decides to continue it (emergency).
The Sarawak legislative assembly’s five-year term was due to end on June 6 this year, following which the state election must be called within 60 days, but this was suspended due to the Emergency.
The state government was also advised by the King to continue functioning as normal during the Emergency period.
