Abang Jo: Sarawak assembly dissolved, ‘betrayal’ if GPS stayed longer

 

The Sarawak legislative assembly has been dissolved, said caretaker chief minister Abang Johari Openg this morning.

This comes two days after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (YDPA) assented to lifting the localised emergency in Sarawak.

That paved way for the long-delayed Sarawak election, which must now be held within 60 days from Nov 3.

Johari made the expected procedural announcement in a broadcasted press conference.

“Having been advised that legal and public safety and health considerations have been put in place;

"And in compliance with the YDPA’s consent to revoke the proclamation of emergency (which was done) after consultation with the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (YDPN) of the state of Sarawak (Abdul Taib Mahmud);

"And in accordance with Article 21 (2) of the constitution of the state of Sarawak read together with Section 3(3) of the ordinance; the YDPN of Sarawak has proclaimed the state legislative assembly is dissolved with effect from Nov 3, 2021,” he said.

Johari said “careful and constant engagements” with the health authorities had previously been held.

The decision was based on how Sarawak had achieved an “acceptable” Covid-19 vaccination rate for an election to be held “safely” and “with all the necessary SOPs in place”.

According to the Health Ministry, 91.1 percent of adults in Sarawak have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 while 77.2 percent of adolescents (aged 12-17) have been inoculated.

This represents 74.1 percent of the total population in the state.

Johari added that incumbent Sarawak speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar will notify the Election Commission about the dissolution.

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‘Betrayal’ if GPS stays longer

The Sarawak government’s term expired on June 7, 2021.

However, in effect at the time was a state of emergency that postponed the automatic dissolution of the state assembly until Feb 2, 2022.

The national state of emergency was lifted in August but the localised emergency in Sarawak was only lifted on Nov 3.

Today, Johari explained why his Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government had petitioned for the localised emergency to be lifted ahead of its Feb 2, 2022 expiry date.

“When members of my government and I were appointed, we made the solemn oath to preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the state of Sarawak and the Federal Constitution.

“It is in this spirit and intent that we had consulted with and advised the YDPN to seek the YDPA’s consent to terminate earlier the proclamation of emergency in accordance with Section 2(2) of the (emergency) ordinance [...]

“In order to hold true to our oath to preserve and protect the constitution of the state of Sarawak, the Federal Constitution, and (to) safeguard the rights of the people to choose their own government; the GPS government feels that it would be a betrayal to that oath if the GPS government were to hang on to power under the veil of a state of emergency whereas the people’s mandate to govern had expired,” he said.

During his press conference, Johari did not address accusations that GPS was trying to disenfranchise some young voters.

Voter rights groups warned that calling the election before the Undi18 amendments are implemented will ignore the constitutional rights of some 135,000 young Sarawakians.

The Kuching High Court previously ruled that a lowered voting age and automatic voter registration must be in effect by Dec 31.

Opposition party DAP similarly criticised GPS for its “desperate move” to avoid facing youth voters in the polls.

Opposition politicians further pointed out how the election will pose a health risk and might cause a Covid-19 outbreak.

This comes after Sarawak recorded a high number of Covid-19 deaths or Covid-19-related deaths last month, including deputy chief minister James Jemut Masing. - Mkini