There is no need to hold the Sabah state polls during the Covid-19 pandemic, former chief minister Musa Aman's lawyer submitted in the Court of Appeal today.
“The last state election was held only two years ago. Why go for another election during the present Covid-19 period,” argued Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin, who appeared for Musa, the incumbent Sungai Sibuga assemblyperson, and 32 elected representatives from the state.
He said the five-year term of the state legislative assembly would come to an end in 2023, as reported by FMT.
Judges Abdul Karim Abdul Jalil, Abu Bakar Jais and Supang Lian are hearing the case at the appellate court in Putrajaya.
Firoz said caretaker Chief Minister Shafie Apdal had no right to advise or request the governor to dissolve the assembly on July 29 as he had lost the majority support of the 65 assemblypersons (elected and appointed).
“The governor should have exercised his discretion when Shafie no longer enjoyed the support of the majority of the assemblypersons,” he submitted.
The 33 assemblypersons are appealing against the dismissal of their leave for judicial review by the High Court on Aug 21 following Sabah governor Juhar Mahiruddin’s consent to dissolve the state assembly.
Meanwhile, Bernama reported that the Court of Appeal adjourned to noon tomorrow the resumption of the hearing.
Abdul Karim, who chaired the three-panel bench, adjourned the hearing as the parties to the case had lengthy submissions to make.
Sabah Attorney-General Brenndon Keith Soh is acting for Juhar while lawyer Cyrus Das is appearing for Shafie and the state government.
Firoz completed his submission today and Cyrus, who began submitting today, will continue tomorrow.
Senior federal counsel Suzana Atan is appearing for the Election Commission (EC).
Following the dissolution of the state assembly, the EC set Sept 12 for nomination and Sept 26 for polling in the 16th Sabah state election. - Mkini
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