ASAJAYA: All Sarawakians have the right to vote in the 12th State Election regardless of their Covid-19 vaccination status, says Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He opined that the right to vote is a universal right of every Malaysian, including those who denied their Covid-19 vaccination.
“To me, the right to vote is a universal right. If some people refuse to be vaccinated, they should not be barred from going to the polls, they have the right to vote,” he said.
Abdul Karim said this at a press conference after officiating at the presentation of compensation cheques for the Kampung Sambir Muslim Cemetery Expansion project and Kampung Sambir Telecommunication project at Masjid Solihin, Kampung Sambir, here on Friday (Nov 12).
Despite this, he advised those who refused or have yet to be vaccinated to receive their vaccination post haste to further reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission during the state election.
Asked on his concerns for Sarawakian voters returning from overseas, he said it should not be a problem as the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the admission of individuals from foreign countries and other states are in place.
As such, he said, voters returning to Sarawak to vote later must comply with the conditions set by the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
Recently, PBB women chief Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said SOP enforced during the Melaka state polls will most likely be implemented in the forthcoming state polls.
She said the state government and other relevant agencies are currently scrutinising the Melaka polls’ SOP.
“What is implemented in Melaka will most likely be implemented here including disallowing physical campaigning and so on.
“This is a way to ensure the safety of the people at this time as we are not yet free from Covid-19,” she said.
