KUCHING 2 August 2021: Malaysia’s King proclaimed a six-month state of emergency in Sarawak until 2022, according to a report in the Malaysian Reserve on Saturday.
He proclaimed a state of emergency in Sarawak, from 2 August 2021 to 2 to February 2022, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. The proclamation, by default, also suspends state elections during that period.
Malaysian Reserve quoted the Government Gazette dated 3o July that said: “Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah decreed that the emergency suspends the state election in order to prevent any further increase in the spread of Covid-19 if the election is held.”
His Majesty decreed that a grave emergency exists whereby the security, economic life and public order in the country are threatened by the pandemic.
As the ongoing nationwide emergency, proclaimed on 11 January, will officially close on 2 August, the Sarawak state election would have to be held within 60 days of that date to comply with the Sarawak State Constitution, according to the statement.
Malaysian Reserve reported the proclamation of emergency was issued at Istana Abdulaziz in Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, 29 July.
