Politicians told not to visit Sabah for Batu Sapi by-election

 

Politicians outside of Sabah were told to learn from how the state election in September caused a new wave of Covid-19 cases and were told not to visit the state for the upcoming Batu Sapi by-election on Dec 5.

This was according to the Sabah state government’s Covid-19 spokesperson Masidi Manjun who insisted that Sabahans could handle the polls and campaigning on their own.

"Based on the last election, there is obviously a need for self-discipline. In any case, if there’s a need for campaigning, Sabahans are good enough to do the campaigning on their own in whatever ways allowed by the Election Commission," he said.

Masidi, who is also the state local government and housing minister, cautioned that Batu Sapi, in Sandakan, still remained a Covid-19 red zone.

At least 450 Covid-19 cases which were detected in Peninsular Malaysia were traced back to the Sabah state election, he was quoted as saying by the Malay Mail.

"This is a good lesson for us to ponder and it would be foolish for us to repeat this mistake.

"I will leave it to the proper authorities to determine whether such restrictions should be enforced," he added.

The Batu Sapi by-election was called following the death of incumbent Liew Vui Keong. Nomination is set for Nov 23 while polling day is fixed for Dec 5, one day before the conditional movement control order there is set to expire.

Most political parties have decided to sit out of the by-election to pave way for Warisan to retain its seat uncontested. - Mkini