GPS: S'wak emergency could be lifted earlier after full Covid-19 vaccination
The localised emergency imposed on Sarawak starting Aug 2 may be lifted earlier if its population is fully vaccinated by October, said the state's ruling coalition.
GPS said this after an emergency was proclaimed in Sarawak to prevent state polls amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The localised emergency which follows the end of a national emergency tomorrow (Aug 1), has an expiration date of Feb 2 next year.
GPS secretary-general Alexander Nanta Linggi (above) said the emergency proclamation in Sarawak was appropriate.
"However, GPS and Sarawakians hope that the situation will improve in conjunction with the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme where 100 percent of the adult population is expected to be fully vaccinated by October.
"This development will allow many restrictions to be loosened and for people to return to their normal lives in stages.
"Under such circumstances, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may assent to ending the emergency proclamation earlier which will allow the state election to be held," he said.
Alexander said GPS is confident of the Agong and the state governor's wisdom on the matter.
The Sarawak legislative assembly’s five-year term expired on June 7, after which a state election was supposed to be called within 60 days but was suspended due to the national emergency.
With the expiration of the national emergency, the Sarawak polls must be held by September, if not for the localised emergency.
Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR also welcomed the localised emergency in the state.
"Sarawak PKR urges all political leaders to set a good example for the people by abiding with the movement control order's standard operating procedure (SOP) set by the government," said state PKR information chief Abun Sui Anyit.
He added that some Covid-19 outbreaks have been a result of government events.
"We do not want the emergency in Sarawak to be for nothing," he said.
He also proposed for the state assembly sitting to be held with stringent SOP so that pertinent issues, including the state budget, can be addressed during the emergency.
