Decision on Melaka polls will be left to Cabinet, says Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will leave the decision-making on the impending Melaka snap elections to the Cabinet, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The Health Minister said the ministry had conveyed its stance on the Melaka polls at the Special Committee on Pandemic Management meeting on Wednesday (Oct 6).

“We have presented our stance at the meeting yesterday, and we will discuss it again at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow,” said Khairy at a press conference at Hospital Kuala Lumpur after a working visit there on Thursday (Oct 7).

He said the holding of a state election in Melaka was not just a health matter, but also a legislative and constitutional matter.

“We will abide by whatever the Cabinet decides.

“If the election is to be held, then the Health Ministry will prepare the necessary standard operating procedures required.

“But if it does not happen, then we will have more time to wait,” said Khairy.

After four Melaka assemblymen withdrew their support for Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali as Chief Minister on Monday (Oct 4), the state assembly was dissolved by the state government.

This means the state has to call for an election in 60 days.

The Election Commission had said it would convene a special meeting soon to decide on the state polls.

The decision to have a state election has been criticised by many who felt that it would affect the country’s Covid-19 recovery efforts.