‘Election necessary to give rakyat their say’

KUCHING: The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government would have betrayed its oath if it clung to power under the guise of an Emergency as its mandate was supposed to have expired in June, says Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Chief Minister said GPS’ decision to seek the King’s consent for the early termination of the state-wide Emergency, paving the way for the state election to be held within 60 days, was made in the spirit and intent of upholding the federal and state constitutions.

Had the Emergency not been proclaimed, he said, the Sarawak legislative assembly would have been dissolved by June 7 this year and the state government would no longer have had the people’s mandate given in 2016.

“In order to hold true to our oath to preserve and protect the federal and state constitutions, and safeguard the right of the people to choose their own government, the GPS government felt that it would have been a betrayal to that oath if we were to hang on to power under the veil of a state of emergency, whereas the people’s mandate to govern had expired,” he told a press conference at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.

However, he said the people’s health and safety were paramount and the state government had engaged constantly with health authorities and other stakeholders in deciding to seek the lifting of the Emergency.

“(This is) in order for the election to be held with all the necessary standard operating procedure in place, and for the Covid-19 vaccination rate to have reached a level that would be acceptable by the authorities for the election to be conducted safely,” he said.

In compliance with the King’s consent to lift the Emergency, Abang Johari said the state assembly was dissolved with effect from Nov 3 in accordance with Article 21(2) of the state constitution and Section 3(3) of the Emergency (Essential Powers) (Sarawak) Ordinance 2021.

“It’s a unique situation where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has lifted the Emergency and automatically (the state assembly) is dissolved.

“But as a matter of procedure, we will ask the Speaker to inform the Election Commission officially,” he said.

He added that it was now up to the EC to decide on the election date.

On Nov 3, the King gave his consent for the Emergency in Sarawak to be lifted earlier than its scheduled end next February after consulting the Sarawak Governor and considering the advice of the Prime Minister, Attorney General, and relevant government agency heads.

The Sarawak legislative assembly was due to dissolve automatically on June 7 following the expiry of its term, but the state election was suspended during the nationwide Emergency that ended on Aug 1 and the subsequent Emergency proclaimed in Sarawak from Aug 2 to Feb 2, 2022.

On seat allocations, Abang Johari said it had been discussed by GPS but he did not elaborate.

He also declined to comment on candidates, saying, “You see all of us here” when asked if the list was ready.

He was referring to Sarawak United People’s Party president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Parti Rakyat Sarawak deputy president Datuk Joseph Salang, Progressive Democratic Party president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who were present at the press conference.