KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today cited concerns from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Security Council (NSC) on Covid-19, saying it is dangerous to hold snap elections in Melaka.
In a press conference today, he suggested considering an Emergency declaration, like what was done in Sarawak prior to the state election there, to prevent a spike in infection cases.
“I am also of the view that this pandemic issue, based on opinions from the MOH and the NSC, it is very dangerous to have the state election be held within the 60-day period as stipulated under the Elections Act. Then surely, a guide as to what happened in Sarawak perhaps can be followed.
“For that, I feel that the priority for healthcare and addressing this pandemic issue, must be given priority,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said he hopes that the EC will discuss with the NSC and the MOH to decide if the state polls should be held within the legally mandated 60-day period as stipulated under the Elections Act 1958.
He said that until the election date is set, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali can continue to govern as the caretaker chief minister.
Ahmad Zahid also proposed that Sulaiman handpick about 10 state executive councillors to help him with governance matters.
“For that, I hand it over to the chief minister to decide, so that the state government can operate as usual and it is up to him, from the 10 state executive councillors, how many excos would be given the trust to assist him to smoothen the governance of the Melaka state government,” he said.
He also suggested that those who had retracted their confidence in Sulaiman should not be picked.
Melaka Governor Tun Mohd Ali Rustam had earlier today consented to the dissolution of the state assembly, after four assemblymen declared no confidence in Sulaiman as chief minister.
Melaka Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the decision was gazetted today, adding that fresh state polls will be announced soon by the Election Commission.
He also confirmed that Sulaiman had sent a letter to Mohd Ali yesterday, asking for a state election.
According to the law, an election must now be called within 60 days.
The four assemblymen who withdrew support for Sulaiman are: Datuk Seri Idris Haron (Sungai Udang), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundur), Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas), and Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu).
Idris was the chief minister before Sulaiman. Both he and Nor Azman are from Umno while Noor Effendi is from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
Norhizam was formerly from DAP before becoming an independent.
