PETALING JAYA, June 11 (Sin Chew Daily) – Public health experts suggest that new election models must be established if the Emergency decree is lifted and by-elections and the Sarawak state election are to be held during the pandemic.

Malaysian Public Health Physicians' Association (PPPKAM) president Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar told Sin Chew Daily in a telephone interview that it is not impossible to hold the elections after the Emergency is lifted, but comprehensive planning must be in place.

For example, he said the election commission can separate the voters in Sarawak into different time slots to avoid overcrowding at the polling stations.

However, he emphasized that vaccination has to be expedited if physical voting is mandated, otherwise voting can be carried out through postal ballots.

"Election campaigns must not be allowed and people must also be barred from traveling between West and East Malaysia."

As for by-elections, Dr Zainal Ariffin proposed that two-week enhanced MCO be enforced in specific constituencies to ensure no explosive growth in new COVID-19 cases during the election..

Universiti Malay public health expert Dr Tharani Loganathan said due to the very high infection rate and community spread of the virus, at this stage elections must not be held as they were done in the past.

"The whole election mechanism has to be modified. The election commission and the government must have the ability to implement the postal voting while election campaigns should be carried out online.

"The Sabah state election showed that we could not effectively control the spread of the virus even with the SOPs in place."

Meanwhile, infectious diseases consultant Datuk Dr Christopher Lee said election is not suitable at this moment if it is done the traditional way.

"It will be very dangerous to hold an election now, especially if we do it the traditional way.

"It will be better if we can postpone the election until after the pandemic is under control."