Sabah govt's reason to support extension of Emergency just an excuse, says Warisan

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan Sabah has described Gabungan Rakyat Sabah's support for an extension of the Emergency as an excuse to delay state by-elections in Bugaya and Batu Sapi.

Its Wira youth wing chief Datuk Azis Jamman(pic) said the reason given by the GRS-led state government in supporting the extension of the emergency was to fight Covid-19 was just an excuse.

Azis said if the emergency order were to be lifted nationwide, by-elections would still be subject to prior assessment and approval by the Health Ministry and National Security Council on whether these would be safe to proceed.

"This is despite the provision in our Federal Constitution that requires elections to be held within a stipulated time period," he said.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor had said that the state government supported the extension of the emergency for fear of a hike in Covid-19 cases should the Bugaya and Batu Sapi by-elections be allowed to proceed.

Azis said despite Malaysia still in a state of emergency and lockdown, there were high numbers of cases in the country.

"So I believe the same argument is applicable for both Batu Sapi and Bugaya. Irrespective if there's an Emergency or not, both areas will still register a spike in cases if the population disregards proper SOP," said Azis.