IN anticipation of the upcoming 15th general election (GE15), the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah has revoked the emergency proclamations in the Gerik, Batu Sapi and Bugaya constituencies, in a move to pave the way for a possibility of an impending election.
Previously, the emergency proclamations in the three constituencies had been placed to prevent by-elections during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when the Movement Control Order (MCO) was effective and also due to the passing of their elected representatives.
Sultan Abdullah had revoked the emergency proclamations at Istana Negara yesterday (Oct 6), according to proclamation documents published on the website of the Attorney-General’s Chambers, as reported by FMT. The Batu Sapi seat fell vacant after its MP, Liew Vui Keong, passed away on Oct 2, 2020.
Meanwhile, the emergency proclamations in the Gerik parliamentary in Perak and the Bugaya state seat in Sabah had been issued on December 12, 2020 in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 and postpone the by-elections in both seats which were initially set for Jan 16, 2021.
Both seats fell vacant after four-term Gerik MP Hasbullah Osman, died on November 16, 2020, and assemblyman Manis Muka Darah of the Bugaya state seat died the following day on Nov 17, 2020. It is a requirement that elections must be held within 60 days after becoming vacant.
The proclamation of emergencies in the three constituencies was based on Clause (1) of Article 150 of the Federal Constitution and Proclamation of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2020, which allows for elections or by-elections to be postponed.
Sultan Abdullah granted an audience to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday (Oct 6) amid speculation that the prime minister would raise the matter concerning the dissolution of Parliament, hence paving the way for GE15.
The anticipation of the possible election was put to rest after Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin had reportedly said that the audience with Sultan Abdullah was just a pre-Cabinet briefing and that the date for the dissolution of Parliament was not discussed. – Oct 7, 2022
Main photo credit: Bernama
