This follows the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decision to declare an emergency for Batu Sapi in Sabah, purely to postpone the constituency’s by-election.

“Though we still mourn Hasbullah’s passing, I didn’t even think of the by-election in that area because there are more important matters at hand, such as facing this worsening pandemic.

“This is a political matter, and has never been my personal priority,” he told reporters at the sidelines of an event here today.

While the democratic process will have to proceed due to Hasbullah’s passing, he said “lessons” could be taken from the King’s decree to declare an emergency in Batu Sapi.

“I think the same thing (an emergency) might happen in Gerik. That is, if it happens. If it doesn’t, then we have to go through the democratic process,” he said.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun had informed the Election Commission (EC) on the passing of Hasbullah, requiring the EC to fill the seat within 60 days after it confirms the seat has fallen vacant.

The Batu Sapi by-election was supposed to be held on Dec 5, following the passing of its previous MP, Liew Vui Keong, but the King yesterday decided to declare an emergency in Batu Sapi to avoid a fourth wave of Covid-19 outbreaks.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin later said there would be no lockdown or military rule in Batu Sapi despite the emergency, adding that the constituency in Sandakan will remain subject to the ongoing conditional movement control order imposed on Sabah.