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SOPS necessary for safe election

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Abang Johari speaks while officiating at the deployment of 1,100 artificial reef balls in the Sempadi-Tanjung Datu coastal waters at Kem Putra Sentosa in Sematan. Photo: Courtesy of PBB Tanjong Datu Service Centre

KUCHING: The Election Commission (EC) has to set standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the 12th state election.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the SOPs were important so that the election could be held in a controlled environment and did not jeopardise the people’s health.

“We have no choice but to hold the state election since there is no emergency. This means government institutions will function as usual.

“For us in Sarawak, we know that our mandate will end soon and we need to give the mandate back to the people. Therefore, we will leave it to the EC and National Security Council (MKN) to come out with the SOPs,” the chief minister told reporters after officiating at the deployment of 1,100 artificial reef balls programme in the Sempadi-Tanjung Datu coastal waters at Kem Putra Sentosa in Sematan on Monday (Oct 26).

Abang Johari, who is also the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, said he hoped the relevant authorities such as the EC and MKN would look at the recent elections in Singapore and New Zealand.

“Maybe they can learn from these two countries on how they managed the elections during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

The chief minister added he appreciated the reminder from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah that politicians should refrain from politicking that could disrupt the country’s stability.

“For us in Sarawak, we will abide by the advice of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong … My comrades and I will certainly carry out our duties for the sake of the people,” he said.

Asked about the special meeting between Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and party leaders who supported Perikatan Nasional (PN) on Monday morning (Oct 26), Abang Johari said he was represented by GPS chief whip Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

“Fadillah was present. It was just a normal meeting,” he replied briefly.

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