IF a health emergency to tackle the current spike in Covid-19 cases is being mooted by Putrajaya, then such an emergency should not be imposed in Sarawak, said a state minister.

State tourism, arts and culture minister Abdul Karim Hamzah said the federal government can impose the emergency conditionally and selectively.

He said Covid-19 in Sarawak is well under control, with reported cases in the single digits.

Speaking to reporters in Bintulu this afternoon, Karim said Putrajaya should impose it in areas hard-hit by the pandemic.

“In just a state in the peninsula or just Sabah. Need not be a blanket imposition.”

Karim said selective imposition of the emergency had been done in the past like in the May 13, 1969 riots, where the emergency was only declared in the peninsula.

“It’s up to the federal government to come up with a good reason for the emergency and I do hope that in the event an emergency is imposed, it need not reach Sarawak.

“Should not be imposed in Sarawak if it’s to tackle Covid-19. We are not seeing three digit cases every day,” he said.

Karim said he does not believe Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will declare an emergency in response to the political quagmire he’s in.

“Should not be done to stop the opposition if it’s because of the fear of a no-confidence vote.

“I don’t think that should be one of the grounds to impose an emergency.” – October 23, 2020.