UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has mooted the idea of a state of emergency in Malacca as it is too dangerous to hold snap polls due to the Covid-19 epidemic. 

“Maybe (we can) follow what was done in Sarawak,” he said in a press conference in Parliament today.

“Because of the epidemic, I believe the National Security Council and Health Ministry might find it too dangerous for state polls to be held within 60 days as per election laws,” he added.

The state today reported 246 new Covid-19 cases. 

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong proclaimed a six-month emergency in Sarawak from August 2 to February 2, 2022, to suspend the state polls and to prevent a serious virus outbreak. 

He said priority must be given to health and measures to contain the epidemic.

The 28-seat Malacca assembly has now been dissolved. 

The dissolution came after four assemblymen announced yesterday they have lost confidence in Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali and withdrew support for him.  

The four are former chief minister Idris Haron (Sg Udang), Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor), Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas) and Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu).  

Following the withdrawal of support, Sulaiman is now backed by 12 assemblymen (one from Bersatu, the rest from Barisan Nasional) while the opposition has 15 (11 from Pakatan Harapan, two from BN, one from Bersatu and one independent). 

Zahid said it is still early to decide on the candidates if state elections are held.

“I believe new faces that bring new hope and and are able to command confidence of voters should be fielded to reflect change,” he said. – October 5, 2021.