Hishammuddin, who is also the defence minister, said views will be sought from the National Security Council (MKN), the Election Commission (EC) and the health ministry, with Sabah as a case reference.

“I will obtain their views on the possible effects of a state election in Melaka. We went through a similar situation in Sabah and witnessed the implications. We need to consider this when deciding if Melaka should go to the polls.

“We do not want political considerations to jeopardise the larger national agenda, which is to ensure the people’s safety during the pandemic.

“What happened at the Sabah state election must be taken into account,” he told reporters at a handover ceremony of food aid by the agriculture and food industry ministry to the defence ministry as part of the Mindef Prihatin Basket Programme here today.

Hishammuddin said the EC would discuss SOPs for the Melaka state election with MKN before bringing the matter to the country’s top leadership.

Yesterday, the EC received official notification about the dissolution of the 14th Melaka legislative assembly.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said the government would not make hasty decisions on interstate travel and would instead prioritise the concept of “reopening safely”.

“The government is being responsible and careful… this is for the people’s safety and to ensure the flexibilities given are based on scientific data that the health ministry feels comfortable with,” he said.

Also present today were agriculture and food industry minister Ronald Kiandee and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Affendi Buang.