KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has welcomed the decision by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to declare a state of emergency over Bugaya. Chief Minister Hajiji Noor said the state government fully supported the King’s decision as it would put the impending by-election there on hold. He described it as a wise decision considering that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to be a threat to the people in Sabah.
“We want to stop this Covid-19 from spreading, to flatten the curve and, most importantly, to save lives,” he said in a statement here today. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin earlier today said the King had consented to a state of emergency for Bugaya and Gerik in Perak to postpone the by-elections for the two constituencies, scheduled for Jan 16. Muhyiddin said the King had consented to the declaration after he was satisfied there was a need for it under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution. The new dates for the by-elections will be announced later, he added.
In advising the King, Muhyiddin said the Cabinet had on Dec 4 discussed in detail the consequences of holding by-elections at a time when the number of Covid-19 cases was still on the rise. Meanwhile, Sabah Barisan Nasional chief Bung Moktar Radin said the decision was most appropriate considering the present health situation. Bung, who is also Sabah Umno chief, said BN had earlier decided not to field a candidate for the seat even if the by-election had proceeded as planned.