Govt may ask Agong to declare emergency in Batu Sapi, Sarawak to delay polls

(FMT) – De facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan says the federal government may request the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to declare a state of emergency in Batu Sapi or Sarawak in order to delay the polls there.

He said Putrajaya could consider this proposal if the necessity arose, adding that this was in line with the Federal Constitution.

Takiyuddin said this in answer to a question from Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) who asked if the government plans to have an audience with the Agong again to request for an emergency to be declared in certain areas such as Batu Sapi and Sarawak.

If it feels necessary, the government might think about it. In terms of the constitution, it can be done,” he said, adding that Article 150 of the constitution states that the King had the power to declare an emergency over the whole country or a part of it.

The Batu Sapi by-election will be held on Dec 5, and the Sarawak state election will need to be held by June next year.

The Federal Constitution states that a by-election has to be held within 60 days after a Parliament seat is found to have been vacated, while a state election must be held within 60 days after the dissolution of the state assembly.

Takiyuddin also said the Sabah election had cost RM130 million to be held, with most of the money spent on procurements, rental of election equipment, ICT systems, logistics and allowances for election officers.