Include Bugaya by-elections in GE15

KOTA KINABALU - The Bugaya by-elections should be held simultaneously with the 15th General Election (GE15), said Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

However, the former Sabah chief minister said it was up to the Election Commission (EC) when elections should be held.

"It's up to the EC, I don't want to push for an election. We are always ready, but if it is held simultaneously (GE15) it would be better, it will reduce expenses.

"We need to reduce the country's spending," he told reporters at a press conference at the Warisan headquarters, in Kolombong, on Sunday.

Shafie, the Semporna MP said elections must be held 60 days after Parliament if dissolved. The Senallang State Assembly Member added that candidates for both Bugaya State Assembly and Batu Sapi Parliament seats have also been identified.

"We have already identified a number of candidates who are suitable for us to place, its the same in Batu Sapi too. It means that we are already prepared.

"Our (overall) candidates are youths and there are also women. The majority of people are young because Warisan has always been led by young people," he said.

Before that, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on Thursday agreed to end six ordinances and emergency proclamations to postpone the Batu Sapi, Gerik and Bugaya state assembly by-elections, which were declared in November and December 2020.

The Batu Sapi Parliamentary and Bugaya state seats are vacant following the deaths of their incumbents, Datuk Liew Vui Keong and the late Datin Manis Muka Mohd Darah in 2020.