KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Sin Chew Daily) — The 15th general election may be held this year once the COVID-19 pandemic is put under control.

The Perikatan Nasional presidential council meeting on Sunday discussed ending the state of emergency for general election once the pandemic is under control.

A party leader who preferred anonymity told Sin Chew Daily prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said in the meeting the government would lift the state of emergency before August 1 to call for election once the pandemic is under control.

"Even if the election is held, it will not be a normal election. Campaign activities will be restricted – no political talks and door-to-door visits.

"The Election Commission is preparing for the election," he said.

The urgent task for Perikatan Nasional government now is to flatten the curve before a general election can be called.

"The election will be held when majority of people have been vaccinated.

"If the state of emergency ends on August 1, election will likely be held in September or October," he said.

The party leader said no one disagreed about suspending parliamentary sitting under the state of emergency.

"No party leaders, including Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi touched on suspension of parliamentary sitting. He only talked about vaccines," he said.

Deputy director-general of health Datuk Dr Norhizan Ismail briefed the presidential council on the status of COVID-19 pandemic while minister in the prime minister's department in charge of legal matters Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan explained the provisions of state of emergency under the Federal Constitution.

On January 12, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong declared a nationwide state of emergency to curb the spread of COVID-19 until August 1 or earlier should the situation come under control.

The party leader also revealed that some party leaders in Sarawak mentioned about lifting the state of emergency earlier so that the state election could be held before June.

"In his reply, the prime minister said this would require the independent committee managing the state of emergency comprising of cabinet ministers, the opposition party and professionals to propose to the King after their assessment.

"The meeting also discussed about forming the independent committee. The prime minister had submitted a list of candidates to the King for approval. The list of candidates is kept confidential.

"The government will announce the members of the independent committee and their jurisdiction soon," he said.