COMMENT | Despite the recent decision by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the prime minister continues in his attempt to make out a case for the need to declare an emergency as the only way to prevent the Batu Sapi by-election and the Sarawak state election from taking place.

The argument being that holding a by-election or a state general election could result in a spike in the number of Covid-19 infections and endanger the health and well-being of the rakyat. The prime minister, having learnt the lesson during the Sabah state elections, wishes to avoid a repeat of that incident.

In my view, this argument proceeds on a questionable premise, namely that the only solution to this problem is to stop the by-election and the Sarawak state election from taking place and to prevent the exercise of democratic processes in this country. I offer an alternative perspective and approach.