KUCHING: The Opposition Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) is appealing to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong not to consent to any request from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to dissolve the state legislative assembly for the state election to be held before the end of the year.

       The PSB secretariat said the party had written to the King to convey its appeal for the sake of Sarawakians.

       "The grounds given in the appeal to His Majesty are the Covid-19 situation in Sarawak and the risk to the health, safety and lives of the people of Sarawak if an election were to be held now," it said in a statement on Monday (Oct 18).

       The party reiterated its claims that the ruling GPS coalition was seeking to hold the state election before the implementation of Undi18 by Dec 31, after which 18 to 21-year-olds would be eligible to vote.

       "It is utterly reckless for GPS to call an election now just to avoid Undi18 voters.

       "If any GPS leaders repeat their previous statements that they welcome Undi18 voters, we challenge them to hold the state election after Feb 1 next year when the current Emergency order expires in order to give the new Undi18 voters their right to vote," PSB said.

       It also challenged GPS to a debate on whether the polls should be held before Dec 31 and the rationale for rushing towards an election now.

       "A public debate will let the people of Sarawak be the judge whether GPS is willing to place political expediency over the health and lives of Sarawakians," it added.

       The state legislative assembly's term was due to expire on June 6 this year.

       However, the state election is currently suspended as Sarawak is under a localised Emergency from Aug 2 to Feb 2, 2022.