A Sarawak DAP representative has criticised the state government for requesting Istana Negara to lift the emergency in Sarawak, which paves the way for a fresh state election amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stampin MP Chong Chieng Jen (above) alleged that it was a desperate move by the Sarawak ruling coalition to have the state election before Undi18 comes into effect.
"Abang Johari desperately wants the state election to be held before the end of this year to avoid Undi18.
"(This is) despite Sarawak recording the highest Covid-19 deaths for the past one month," Chong said in a statement this evening, referring to Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg who is also Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairperson.
The Kota Sentosa assemblyperson's statement came after Istana Negara announced that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah had assented to lifting the emergency in Sarawak.
The palace in its statement said the decision was made after the king held an audience with Sarawak governor Abdul Taib Mahmud, who presented the Sarawak government's request for the localised emergency to end.
With Sultan Abdullah's assent, the long-delayed state polls would have to be held within 60 days from the date the emergency is lifted, which would be in December.
Undi18 refers to a constitutional amendment passed by Parliament in 2019 allowing Malaysians aged between 18 and 20 to vote in elections. Prior to this, only citizens aged 21 and above are eligible to be registered as voters.
However, the federal government has until Dec 31 to implement the lowering of the voting age, following an order by the Kuching High Court.
Putting lives at risk
Sarawak PKR Women secretary Cherishe Ng described the move towards a state election as unwarranted and puts the people's safety at risk.
"There is absolutely no reason that a state election should be held so soon when the emergency was slated for an end in February. Amidst high death rates and the very much anticipated implementation of Undi18, we could very well have waited for February.
"The move by GPS to have the emergency lifted and push for election is an unwarranted move that will not only put people's lives at risk but also undermine the votes of 18 years old," she said in a statement.
Ng alleged that it also showed GPS is scared to face young voters in the polls.
"It is loud and clear. GPS is afraid of Undi18. GPS is afraid of the youths," she added.
Selangau MP Baru Bian, who is from opposition Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), wants Abang Johari to be held liable should the state election lead to another wave of Covid-19 outbreak.
"The chief minister and his advisors must be prepared to take responsibility should there be another wave of infections following the election, if it is held while our Covid-19 numbers are still high.
"Our ICU beds are reported to be at 80 percent occupancy, and one of our former deputy chief ministers was laid to rest, having passed away from complications brought on by Covid-19 infection," he said, referring to Senator Guan Dee Koh Hoi who died on Oct 26.
Baru further lambasted Abang Johari claiming that nobody believes the chief minister's claim that he was not afraid of facing young voters.
"If he really is not afraid of Undi18 and the previously unregistered voters, let him put his money where his mouth is and delay the election until next year when Covid-19 numbers are more manageable.
"Sarawakian lives matter more than GPS’s desperation to hold on to power. I believe it was an unwise move on their part to request the Agong to lift the emergency.
"I hope and pray that no Sarawakians will have to pay the ultimate price for their folly," he added. - Mkini
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