Umno Youth urges BN, PN not to contest Batu Sapi

Umno Youth today urged BN and Perikatan Nasional not to field any candidates for the upcoming Batu Sapi by-election, citing concerns over the spike in Covid-19 cases in the state.

Its chief, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, in saying this, suggested that all other political parties also do not contest the Batu Sapi parliamentary seat, which is held by Warisan.

Incumbent Batu Sapi MP Liew Vui Keong had died from a lung infection on Oct 2. He was also the permanent chairperson of Warisan.

"Umno Youth will suggest to the Umno top leadership and BN to not field any candidate to contest the Batu Sapi parliamentary seat in Sabah following the death of its MP Liew Vui Keong. This is considering the Covid-19 pandemic which is worsening is Sabah and can trigger safety risks for the rakyat.

"A similar suggestion is also recommended for all other political parties including PN to keep the status quo of the Batu Sapi seat under Warisan," he said in a statement.

Asyraf (above), who is a deputy minister in the PN government, added that the focus now should be on preventing further spread of the novel coronavirus and to help people who are affected economically by the pandemic.

"Umno Youth believes that it is time for politicians to have solidarity and set aside differences for the sake of the people's safety and wellbeing," he said.

Asyraf's statement echoed the sentiment of DAP's Lim Kit Siang who earlier today also mooted that Batu Sapi seat be left to Warisan uncontested.

Following Liew's death, several others had also raised their concern on the risk posed by the Batu Sapi by-election in worsening the pandemic situation.

Among them were former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak who suggested that the government find a way to postpone it until the outbreak is under control and Bar Council committee member Andrew Khoo.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission maintains that the by-election has to be conducted within 60 days as the Federal Constitution stipulates regardless of the pandemic. - Mkini