Mukhriz moots amending constitution to postpone elections

 

PARLIAMENT | An opposition MP has suggested that the Federal Constitution be amended to postpone elections until the Covid-19 pandemic subsides.

During the debate on Budget 2021 today, Mukhriz Mahathir (Pejuang-Jerlun) said he will file a motion on the matter soon and urged MPs to support it.

"I wish to table a motion to amend Article 55(3) of the Federal Constitution on the dissolution of Parliament [...]

"The purpose of this motion is to allow the government to postpone elections due to public health concerns until (the Covid-19) threat ends.

"This is very much needed now because the law requires us to hold elections even amidst the Covid-19 pandemic," he said.

Currently, the law requires elections to be held within 60 days once a vacancy has been declared.

The Batu Sapi by-election has to be held on Dec 5. There are another two vacancies that need to be filled soon - the parliamentary seat of Gerik and the Sabah state assembly seat for Bugaya.

The Sarawak state elections have to be held by August 2021.

Mukhriz said that what he was proposing was similar to the federal government's initial attempt to suspend Parliament through a proclamation of emergency.

"Although (my proposal) requires the support of two-thirds of the Dewan Rakyat and the Dewan Negara, I believe that the government wishes to handle the Covid-19 pandemic properly and not play politics.

"The government should support my motion. It would be even better if they draft the motion themselves," he said. - Mkini