"Declaring emergency not the best way" - Tok Mat

KUALA LUMPUR: The act of applying for a declaration of emergency as a reason and means to postpone the Batu Sapi by-election (PRK) and Sarawak State Election (PRN) process is not only unnecessary but is deemed not the best way, said UMNO Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

In fact, according to him, the implications of an emergency are seen to be greater if declared than to postpone the two elections.

"I understand the concerns of the Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin while delivering a special message yesterday afternoon, on the conduct of the PRK Batu Sapi and PRN Sarawak in a situation where Malaysia is still facing a pandemic situation.

"However, requesting an emergency declaration to postpone the two is not only unnecessary but not the best course of action," he said in a statement on Sunday.

Mohamad explained that Barisan Nasional (BN) has announced it would not contest in the by-election and also urged other parties to give way to the Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) to contest unopposed

According to him, this is in honour of the late Datuk V. K Liew, a former Member of Parliament for Batu Sapi and to avoid the by-election being held at this time.

"If such an understanding can be worked out, then we can give way to Warisan in the Batu Sapi by-election as a national consensus to reduce the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the community. If this happens, the Batu Sapi PRK is not needed," he explained.

Meanwhile, he said, the expiry of the Sarawak State Assembly (DUN) is on 7 June 2020 and if the state government serves until the end of the period, the state election will be held 60 days from that date.

This matter, explained the Rantau State Assemblyman (ADUN), allows the Sarawak PRN to be held in August 2021.

"Imagine the implications if an emergency is declared just to avoid the Sarawak PRN when it can be held latest in the next 10 months.

"I am very confident in the wisdom of the Sarawak Chief Minister and he will definitely make the best decision by taking into account the various dimensions of public interest before dissolving the Sarawak DUN," he added.

In the meantime, Mohamad added, Malaysia has an independent Election Commission (EC) and is able to conduct elections in any situation in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution.

"It is for the EC to decide how it will conduct the election with health protocols during the pandemic and the EC has the authority to ensure that the democratic process runs smoothly.

"Malaysia is a well-functioning democracy and it must continue to function in the worst of circumstances.

"Therefore, all parties must respect the wisdom of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to reject the emergency, defend the Constitution and recognise the good achievements of the government in controlling the current pandemic," he said.