A by-election will be held in Malacca to overcome the political crisis that has befallen the state.

State speaker Ab Rauf Yusof announced the decision by state Governor Mohd Ali Rustam after the state assembly was dissolved on the advice of outgoing chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali, reported Malaysiakini.

A snap election must now be called within 60 days.

The crisis began when four lawmakers, led by Sungai Udang assemblyperson Idris Haron, withdrew support for the BN-PN.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that he is aware of the concerns raised by the rakyat that holding an election at this juncture may cause COVID-19 cases to spike up again.

However, the premier assured that if the by-election has to be held, then the Election Commission (EC) will ensure strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent a recuheld in rrence of a scenario akin to Sabah, which saw a resurgence in coronavirus cases after a state election was held in September last year.

To date, 88.2 per cent of Malacca's adult population has been fully vaccinated.

Asked if it was appropriate to hold a by-election amid the COVID-19 threat, Ab Rauf said the National Security Council (NSC) and the EC should suggest the proper way to hold the polls.

The state's administration will be run by a caretaker government until the by-election is completed, he added.


Source: Malaysiakini
Photo source: Astro Awani