KOTA KINABALU: Warisan today said it appreciates Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan’s call to give way for the party to win the Batu Sapi by-election uncontested.
Warisan secretary-general Loretto Padua said the suggestion by Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat, showed his concern over the Covid-19 situation in Sabah, which has been reporting the highest number of infections in the country daily.
“We have heard and read media reports on frontliners and doctors in Sabah who are tired from working without breaks because of the rising number of cases.
“What’s worse, we were also shocked when several news portals revealed the lack of personal protective equipment for frontliners in the state.
“The welfare of our frontliners in their efforts to battle the Covid-19 problem should be given priority and Tok Mat’s proposal for Umno to give way to Warisan in Batu Sapi is greatly appreciated,” he said in a statement today.
Padua said everyone, including political parties and independent candidates, should work together and focus on improving the welfare of the people and the state’s economy.
He said it was better to wait until the general election was held, and to make use of the time now to manage the impact of the pandemic.
Mohamad had previously called for political parties to give the Batu Sapi by-election on Dec 5 a miss and allow Warisan to retain the seat, to ensure no polls were held in the midst of the pandemic.
The by-election follows the death of former de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong on Oct 2.
