Abang Johari: Sarawak not rushing to hold state election, people’s health should come first in midst of pandemic

Abang Johari speaking at a press conference after officiating the Sarawak Covid-19 Vaccination Programme at Stadium Perpaduan in Petra Jaya, Kuching. Photo by Roystein Emmor.

KUCHING (Feb 27): Sarawak is in no hurry to hold the next state election, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg today.

He said at the moment, the state government is focusing on looking after the health of Sarawakians amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are still in the state of emergency. The state election can be held later – any time can hold the election. However (saving) people’s lives cannot (be postponed) anytime,” he said during a press conference this morning.

Abang Johari was responding to reporters when asked if the state election would be held as soon as the Sarawak Covid-19 Vaccination Programme concluded this coming August.

He said this after officiating at the Sarawak Covid-19 Vaccination Programme Phase I for frontliners at Stadium Perpaduan, Petra Jaya near here.

Among those accompanying him were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, and Sarawak Health Director Dr Chin Zin Hing.

Abang Johari assured that the state government will continue to ensure that the health of Sarawakians and those residing in the state are prioritised to break the Covid-19 chain of infection.

“That is why we (state government) don’t think of anything else, we prioritise the people’s health first,” he said.

Abang Johari highlighted some of the efforts by the state government to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state, including quarantining persons-under-surveillance in hotels and other accommodations around the state which cost the state government around RM72 million since last year.

“Apart from the accommodation, we also paid for their meals. All of it is borne by the state government. Besides that we also help those who are struggling financially due to Covid-19.

“Our priority now is the people’s health. Money we can find, but the people’s lives cannot be replaced,” he said.

He added that coincidentally in the midst of the pandemic, Petronas had discovered gas in the Central Luconia Province just 80km off the Sarawak coast on Feb 10.

“So we will negotiate with Petronas,” he said, explaining that with the potential funds for Sarawak following the gas discovery, the state would be able to assist its people more.

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