Delays in containing Covid-19 from Sabah due to unavoidable reasons - PM

 

COVID-19 | Measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 in and from Sabah were delayed due to unavoidable reasons but are now in place, said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

He also said that his coalition, Perikatan Nasional, was still mulling over the Batu Sapi by-election but had some ideas on how it can be safer.

Critics had partly blamed last month's Sabah elections for the third wave of Covid-19 throughout the country.

There have been 394 cases of Covid-19 linked to travel to Sabah since Sept 22.

The Health Ministry determined that the third wave began on Sept 20, but quarantine measures for those returning from Sabah were only enforced on Sept 27.

Quizzed about the delay during his inaugural press conference as prime minister, Muhyiddin said this could not be avoided.

"The situation in Sabah, because of the state election, it was unavoidable.

"I admit there was a bit of a delay, but that is okay, we have taken measures to deal with the problem.

"Yang dah lepas tu hakikat (what's done is done), because certain situations could not be avoided, that is why steps were taken somewhat late," he said.

Among the measures that have been taken since he said, is enforcing the conditional movement control order (MCO), stronger enforcement against undocumented migrants, and sending more medical aid and workers to Sabah to help fight the pandemic.

Meanwhile, on the Batu Sapi by-election, Muhyiddin said it could not be delayed because it was a constitutional requirement.

The Federal Constitution requires that by-elections be held within 60 days after a seat is vacant unless three years have passed since a new Parliament was formed.

The Batu Sapi Parliament seat was vacated after its incumbent Liew Vui Keong died on Oct 2.

Nominations will be held on Nov 23, with polling day on Dec 5.

BN has decided not to contest the by-election to avoid worsening the Covid-19 pandemic.

When asked about PN's stance, Muhyiddin who is the coalition's chief, said they were "looking into it".

"We will make a decision later," he said.

He said considerations need to be made for the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah parties which were allocated state seats under Batu Sapi during last month's state election.

Muhyiddin, however, did have some suggestions on how the Election Commission (EC) could make the by-election safer.

"This is not an order (to the EC), these are just my views," the prime minister said.

He said one suggestion was to prevent house to house campaigning.

"House to house campaigning, that is one reason the virus spread. So, if possible, don't allow it," he said.

He also proposed stricter enforcement on crowd control, with "on the spot" fines for those who hold overcrowded campaign events that don't adhere to SOPs.

He also suggested that campaigning be done more through social media, or traditional media such as television, radio or newspapers. - Mkini