IT is better to “avoid” elections at this juncture in order to contain the spread of Covid-19 infections in the country, Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said today.

“Since the beginning, the Health Ministry has been very concerned over elections… be it by-elections or state elections or even general elections,” he said in a press conference today.

“If possible, avoid elections. This has been the Health Ministry’s recommendation from the start,” he added.

Noor Hisham said several issues stemmed from the Sabah state elections, including the spike in cases.

Istana Negara said in a statement earlier that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has assented to a declaration of emergency in Batu Sapi, Sabah as a pre-emptive measure to stop the spread of Covid-19, and as a result postponing the parliamentary by-election set for December 5. 

Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah consented to the emergency after an audience today with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who carried a proposal from the cabinet. 

“Therefore, Sultan Abdullah has given his consent for the Proclamation of Emergency for P.185 Batu Sapi, Sabah to be implemented as a proactive measure to curb the Covid-19 epidemic,” the palace said in a statement today. – November 18, 2020.