Kota Kinabalu, Wednesday, 16 June 2021
The national recovery plan has enhanced the confidence of the people, especially the business community, because the four-phase timeline is clear and the indicators for each phase are achievable. This plan has brought relief to the people who are eagerly waiting for the pandemic to be over.
If all goes according to plan, then the second stage in July and August will see the resumption of many economic activities. By September, almost all economic sectors can re-open and that by the end of this year, life can be back to pre-pandemic normal with the opening of social activities. This is what the people have been waiting for.
Batu Sapi by-election
As for the emergency which is due to expire on August 1, SAPP feels that the situation at Batu Sapi needs to be carefully considered. This is because, upon the expiration of the emergency, it is constitutionally possible that a by-election be held for the Batu Sapi parliamentary constituency as the MP for Batu Sapi had passed away late last year. The parliamentary constituency, Gerik in Peninsula Malaysia, is also vacant after the passing of its MP also late last year.
The government should consider carefully whether a localised emergency should be imposed on Batu Sapi, like how it was done last year, because a by-election can cause a spike in Covid-19 cases that can bring us back to square one in the fight against the pandemic.
Datuk Yong Teck Lee
President, SAPP