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Experts weigh in on impending Melaka state polls

KUALA LUMPUR: Health experts are not in favour of Melaka going for polls following the dissolution of the state legislative assembly despite the country showing a declining trend in the number of Covid-19 cases.

Universiti Putra Malaysia's epidemiologist and biostatistician Associate Professor Dr Malina Osman said this was not the right time for elections as virus transmission was still occurring.

"The crises which have affected our health care system since early of this year is yet over. In addition, threats from circulating Delta variants and other VOCs (Variant of Concerns) are still present.

"Our active cases are still above 100,000 cases while the R naught is still above 0.5," she said.

According to the Health Ministry's CovidNow portal, there are a total of 135,945 active Covid-19 cases in the country as of 11.59pm on Oct 5.

Data from the portal also said Melaka was among 10 states with bed utilisation rate of 70 per cent and above.

As of Oct 5, Melaka's bed utilisation rate stood at 77.8 per cent with 202 cases being treated at healthcare facilities in the state.

Dr Malina added that priority for the time being, especially at a time when the country is gearing to enter the endemic phase, should be given on the 'revival' or restoring the lives and livelihood of the people instead of a change in leadership.

"As we are still struggling with the recovery from the pandemic, wise decisions should be prioritised to the scope which benefits most," she said.

Another health expert, Professor Datuk Dr N.K.S Tharmaseelan, did not mince his words when he said election, if it is held for Melaka, was the result of people putting their selfish interests before the interest of the nation.

Dr Tharmaseelan, who is the former Malaysian Medical Association president, said it was irresponsible for elected officials to bring about the election in troubled times when the health the nation was at stake.

"Once bitten twice shy goes the saying, but probably the Covid-19 virus has desensitised the politicians involved. They do not feel anything these days.

"Knowing full well the consequences, going ahead with an election is highly irresponsible. They should lead by example. This is a bad example for Malaysians to follow.

"We have been drumming into everyone to leave home only if urgent or necessary. Is this election necessary?" asked Dr Tharmaseelan, who is also the former Malaysian Medical Association president.

Even with the Covid-19 restrictions in place, he said they would not be able to curtail the spread of the pandemic if the election was held.

"The elections will certainly result in people to congregate during ceramah, rallies, campaigns as well as house-to-house visits," he said.

Dr Tharmaseelan said the concern expressed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who feared a possible hike in cases should a state election be held was justified.

"The Sabah election saw a sudden surge in cases in East Malaysia. There was also an increase in cases in West Malaysia contributed mainly by those returning from East Malaysia after their election campaigns in Sabah.

"It was the first precipitous surge in cases. This was in spite of several warnings from many sources including the Health Ministry not to hold the election," he said.

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