SARAWAK will have to continue putting its state election on hold if the rate of Covid-19 infection has not dropped to a level safe enough to have it, a political analyst said.

Universiti Putra Malaysia’s (UPM) Jayum Jawan however said since the term of state legislative assembly had lapsed, it therefore was wise for the caretaker government to introduce an “inclusive” advisory council to advise it until the state election could be held.

Jawan said abnormal times required abnormal measures.

“The normal concept of a caretaker government should be amended to take into account all views and input of the people. This would give the caretaker government more legitimacy,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said the council shouldn’t be bigger than the outgoing cabinet.

“A dozen (members) at the max.”

What was important, he said, was that the members appointed to the council must be professionals in their respective fields and not politically affiliated.

“They must represent the broad character (spectrum) of the state. That composition must give a sense of inclusiveness so that what the caretaker government does during this period is legitimate and accepted by the society.

“So, unless the rate of infection drops fast to a safe level and that a majority of the people have been vaccinated, it would not be wise to hold elections.”

Jawan also said Sarawakians should not easily forget the spike in Covid-19 infections after last year’s Sabah state election.

He said what happened should serve as a lesson.

“Many clusters were created and (the infection) spread across the country as campaigners who came from all across the country returned (home) after the election.”

Jawan might be a lone voice in putting the state election on ice.

Deputy Chief Minister James Masing said despite the conundrum the government finds itself in – whether to uphold democracy or preserve human lives – the election could be held.

“We have to follow the law,” Masing said, alluding that the election will have to be called within 60 days from August 1 when the state of emergency is lifted.

The Malay Rulers, in a special conference on Wednesday, declared there was no need to place the country under emergency beyond August 1.

Masing said for the state’s 12th election to be held, the Ministry of Health “must put in force very strict health guidelines” for the health and safety of the people.

The president of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) also said enforcement agencies like the Election Commission and the police must be strict in ensuring that face to face campaigning was prohibited.

PRS is one of four local parties that make up the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

To minimise movements that could lead to social gatherings, Masing said the EC should bring the ballot boxes to the people and not ask the people to go to the ballot boxes.

He also said the polling times would be extended to take into account the social distancing SOP.

Masing said even if all these measures were implemented, he expected the voter turnout to be low.

“Thus, we maintain the rule of law by maintaining the practice of parliamentary democracy and at the same time contain the danger posed by the coronavirus to our people.”

State Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Karim Hamzah agreed and said the EC will have to impose restrictions if the Covid-19 (pandemic) was not over yet.

“I presume among them are social distancing and the wearing of masks during polling.

“No rallies, no house-to-house campaigning, among others. Barring outsiders from outside Sarawak as campaigners could also be one of the restrictions but that’s for the EC to impose,” he said.

Karim said if the pandemic could be addressed and “there’s reduction in positive cases” and the emergency is not extended after August 1, “then dissolution of the state assembly will happen on the 1st of August”.

Up to yesterday, statistics showed that only 438,621, or 21.47% of the people eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccination, had been vaccinated.

The state had targeted to vaccinate 80% of them in order to achieve herd immunity by the end of August.

The statistics also showed 1,405,883 people or 68.82% of the state’s population had registered to be vaccinated. – June 18, 2021.