Health Ministry welcomes King's decision to declare Batu Sapi emergency

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has welcomed the King’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Batu Sapi, Sabah which cancels the by-election in the parliamentary constituency.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry had always expressed its reluctance with holding an election, especially now with the significant rise in Covid-19 cases.

“From the beginning, we have expressed our concern about having a state election, a by-election or a general election in these times. Our recommendation was for it not to be held, if possible.

“As we learnt from the Sabah election, we saw the number of Covid-19 cases go up after it was held.

“So it is most important that we avoid organising another election for the time being, ” he said at the ministry’s Covid-19 press briefing here on Wednesday (Nov 18).

The Batu Sapi by-election was scheduled to be held on Dec 5, with nomination fixed on Nov 23, and it was triggered due to the passing of its incumbent Datuk Seri Liew Vui Keong.