MELAKA’s Governor Tun Ali Rustam has dissolved the state assembly, paving way for a statewide election to be held.
The news was announced by state speaker Datuk Ad Rauf Yusoh, in a press conference.
“The Elections Commission (EC) would now decide on when the polls will be held,” Free Malaysia Today reported him as saying.
Yesterday four Melaka state assemblypersons announced that they had withdrawn support from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali (UMNO).
“We have already sent a letter to Sulaiman on the matter and are willing to face disciplinary action from the party,” Malaysiakini reported Sungai Udang state assemblyperson Datuk Seri Idris Haron as saying.
Idris himself was a former chief minister of Melaka. Those backing him were Pantai Kundur assemblyperson Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (UMNO), Pengkalan Batu assemblyperson Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Independent) and Telok Mas assemblyperson Noor Effandi Ahmad (Bersatu).
On that note, Rauf urged the EC to propose COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) so that the polls could be conducted safely.
“But it also depends on the National Security Council and Health Ministry to deliberate on the matter,” he stated.
On related matter, Malaysiakini reported UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi suggesting the possibility of an Emergency being proclaimed in Melaka to postpone the polls due to COVID-19.
“If the polls, in the opinion of the Health Ministry and NSC, is too risky to be held within 60 days as set out in the law, perhaps we can use the example of what was done in Sarawak,” the Bagan Datuk MP was reported saying.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong had declared an Emergency in Sarawak as the current state government’s tenure ended in June due to COVID-19.
Last year, the Sabah state election triggered a massive wave of COVID-19 infections and deaths, running into hundreds and later thousands.
Prior to that, Malaysia only recorded daily infection of two-digits. – Oct 5, 2021.
