THE Sarawak chief minister said today he’s “in a difficult situation” as to when to dissolve the state assembly and call for the elections.

Abang Johari Openg said there is is a surge of Covid-19 cases in the country but, on the other hand, his administration’s mandate ends in April.

“I am concerned about the health of the people but, on the other hand, you cannot govern and take measures (to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic) if you don’t have the mandate.

“We (ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak) are not crazy for power,” he said, referring to calls from the opposition to postpone the elections this year over fears that the current surge will only exacerbate the situation like last month’s Sabah elections.

Abang Johari said when he calls for the elections, it will be on the advice of the health experts.

“I don’t want to be like Sabah. We have to abide with the advice of the Health Ministry whether we should go on,” he said at an aid programme in Kuching.

Sarawak and the Election Commission need to learn the lessons from New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Myanmar on how they conducted their elections without worsening the pandemic, he added.

On calls to hold the elections next year, he said who can guarantee that there will be fewer cases next year.

“We cannot predict. We must have the election.

“What is important is for the government to have the mandate not only to tackle the Covid-19 but mange the country as a whole.” – October 23, 2020.