Dap Youth Blasts Bersatu Counterpart For Tying Emergency To Batu Sapi

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DAP Youth deputy chief Chiong Yoke Kong has hit out at a Bersatu Youth statement claiming that a declaration of emergency was the only sure way of preventing a Batu Sapi parliamentary by-election from being held.
Chiong (photo, above) was responding to Bersatu Youth's legal bureau chair Mohamad Siddiq Mohamad Azani who responded to Umno Deputy President Mohamad Hasan's proposal for all parties to give way to Warisan to retain the Batu Sapi parliamentary seat as "unreasonable".
Mohamad Siddiq had argued that even if BN or PN did not field a candidate in Batu Sapi, which it did not prevent independent candidates and other local parties in Sabah from fielding their candidates.
"I would like to remind Mohamad Siddiq that BN, Pakatan Harapan, Parti Cinta Sabah, Star and SAPP have announced not to field candidates in the Batu Sapi by-election this time.
"If the major parties in the state are willing to give way to Warisan, it can certainly reduce the campaigns that are most likely to further threaten (to spread) the Covid-19 epidemic.
"Why is Bersatu so desperate to want a declaration of emergency throughout the country to avoid a by-election? Why does Bersatu not want to give way to Warisan for the good and interests of the people at this time?" said Chiong in a statement today.
Chiong, who is also Tanah Rata assemblyperson, claimed that such a move made it appear that Bersatu was a party that is crazy about power, willing to be political at any time and ignore the people's best interests in favour of its personal benefit.
"I would like to advise Bersatu and it's youth wing to show political maturity and stop playing politics while the country is still shrouded in the Covid-19 pandemic," added Chiong.
He also called on the PN government to work with all political parties to reach a consensus on a "Unity Budget" to think of the best solution for the well-being of the people.
Sabah Bersatu deputy chief Masidi Manjun told Malaysiakini that the party is expected to discuss this Saturday whether it will contest in Batu Sapi, for which polling day has been set for Dec 5.
The seat fell vacant following the demise of its parliamentarian Liew Vui Keong, who won the seat in the 2018 general election under Warisan's ticket.
The by-election was called amid surging Covid-19 cases in Sabah, which spiked after the Sept 26 state election. The Election Commission (EC) decided to hold the by-election's polling day on the very last day of the 60-day limit, which is stipulated in the Federal Constitution.
On Oct 31, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin explained that he attempted to secure a state of emergency as he was worried that the Batu Sapi by-election and Sarawak state election could worsen the spread of Covid-19. - Mkini

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