KUCHING: The Emergency in Sarawak should not be lifted before its scheduled end in February for the state election to be held, says Opposition party Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).

       Its president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh said this was because Covid-19 cases in Sarawak remained high despite the state's vaccination rate.

       He claimed that there was a movement within the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition seeking to hold polls before the implementation of Undi18 by Dec 31.

       "GPS should not prioritise politics and the state election over the health and wellbeing of Sarawakians.

       "We are ready to fight the state election on a level playing field at any time.

       "However, we do not support any call for an early election before the termination of the Emergency, as the Covid-19 menace in Sarawak is far from over with infection rates continually the highest in the nation," he said in a statement on Thursday (Oct 7).

       The Sarawak legislative assembly's term was due to expire on June 7, after which the state election had to be held within 60 days.

       This was suspended due to the nationwide Emergency which was lifted on Aug 2.

       On July 30, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong proclaimed a localised Emergency for Sarawak from Aug 2 to Feb 2 to further suspend the need for a state election and contain the spread of Covid-19.

       Wong said while a large number of adults and adolescents in Sarawak had been fully vaccinated, children below 12 and babies were not inoculated against the virus.

       "To call the election now will be very irresponsible as the adults will bring the virus back to the young and vulnerable," he said.

       He appealed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong not to lift the Emergency prematurely or allow the state election to be held earlier than February.

       "GPS should use the remaining (Emergency) period to diligently work towards managing the virulent Delta variant and minimise its effects on the people of Sarawak," he added.