- Advertisement -
News

PM notes Covid-19 concerns if Melaka polls are held

He says the Election Commission will come up with strict SOPs as a control measure in the event that a state election is held.

Bernama
2 minute read
Share
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob speaks to reporters in Putrajaya today. Photo: Bernama
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob speaks to reporters in Putrajaya today. Photo: Bernama

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today said he took note of the people’s concern about the risk of spreading Covid-19 in Melaka if a state election is called any time soon.

Speaking to reporters after launching the National Preparedness Month (BKN) 2021 in Putrajaya, Ismail said his social media platforms had been flooded with messages from the public who were concerned about the possibility of a spike in Covid-19 cases in the country as had happened after the Sabah election in September last year.

“The number of (Covid-19) cases in Sabah was initially low, but it spiked after the state election was held and this is what the people are worried about.

“If a state election is called in Melaka, I believe that the EC (Election Commission) will definitely come up with strict SOPs as a control measure,” he said in response to the latest political turmoil in Melaka.

Nevertheless, he said everyone should wait for Melaka Governor Mohd Ali Rustam to decide on the matter.

Yesterday, four Melaka assemblymen declared that they had lost confidence in Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali, technically causing the state government led by Barisan Nasional (BN) to collapse.

The four assemblymen were former Melaka chief minister Idris Haron (BN-Sungai Udang), Nor Azman Hassan (BN-Pantai Kundor), Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Independent-Pengkalan Batu) and Noor Effandi Ahmad (Bersatu-Telok Mas).

The Melaka assembly has 28 seats, with 14 held by BN, two by Bersatu, seven by DAP, two by PKR, two by Amanah and one by an independent representative.

Ismail, who is also Umno vice-president, also said he would leave it to party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to find the best solution to the political issue in Melaka as it also involved the party.