KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hoped that a state of emergency will not be imposed in the state to postpone the Sarawak 12th Election next year.
He said in view of the increasing cases of Covid-19, the federal government has decided to declare an emergency to stop several by-elections in the country.
“I hope that (emergency) does not apply to Sarawak as we are trying to control the Covid-19 pandemic as much as possible.
“We have been seeing single digit of Covid-19 cases for several days already, if it stays that way I believe the state election can be held,” he told in a press conference after presenting the Excellent Craft Award to two Sarawakian craft artists at the Sarawak Craft Council Showroom, Steamship Building Kuching Waterfront today.
He said however if the Covid-19 cases shoots up, then the emergency decree would also be imposed in Sarawak.
“I just hope that we do not have to go through that. But then, we do not have much time left because the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) term will end in June 6,” he said.
Karim, who is also the Tourism, Arts and Culture minister, said as such the election must be held at least by June 6 or 60 days after the expiry date.
“Under the election laws, when the term of Parliament or state legislature expiries automatically, an election must be held within 60 days, which means it must be held by Aug 6.
“If the state legislature is dissolved before June 6, then it must be held two months from the date of the dissolution,” he said.
