KUCHING: Speculations have intensified that the state election is just around the corner.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said he does not discount the possibility of Sarawak holding its state election next month, similar to Melaka, which recently dissolved its state legislature.
“For me, if that is what members of the press are feeling (that the state election is near), I am also feeling the same thing. We are feeling the heat.
“Melaka is also holding its snap state election next month, I wouldn’t be surprised if Sarawak follows suit. We wait tomorrow or the day after. The state legislature may be dissolved within these one or two days,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after a visit to a project site in Asajaya on Thursday (Oct 21).
Abdul Karim viewed that the state election must be held as soon as possible given the fact that the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) has exceeded its five-year term last June.
“As I said multiple times, I don’t want to be in ‘extra time’, because we must give back the mandate to the people for them to choose the ruling government,” he stressed.
He said Covid-19 shouldn’t be used as an excuse to defer the polls further as the case figures were being kept under control with the low rate of critical cases.
Separately, the State Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister reminded Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) members state-wide to exercise their responsibilities in delivering a victory to the ruling coalition.
“At the same time, we must adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that have been outlined by the Election Commission (EC), Police, State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), Health Ministry and the National Security Council (MKN)”.
He also stressed that the SOPs were mandatory to avoid a Covid-19 spike which occurred after the Sabah State Election from recurring.
“We need to reach out as far as possible in our respective areas to ensure that the voters turn up to cast their ballot. We don’t want only 40 to 50 percent turnout, we want at least 70 percent or more,” he said.
