KUALA LUMPUR – The government will announce the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Melaka election in due time, but Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar says the onus is on politicians to abide by the rules.
Speaking in Parliament, the law minister noted how, despite government guidelines, those on the ground during the Sabah polls in September last year had failed to observe them, leading to a surge in Covid-19 infections nationwide.
“I speak on behalf of the Health Ministry (MoH), National Security Council (NSC) and the Election Commission (EC). On the EC’s part, it wants to ensure vibrancy of democratic practice, but this must be in line with the SOPs by MoH and NSC.
“The law must be enforced and abided by all quarters,” he said today.
“I can’t give any guarantee because what happened in Sabah was that there were SOPs, but the people, those who campaigned and the political parties were the ones who did it (flouted the regulations).
“We have no control; we can’t give any guarantee on activities conducted by activists and politicians.”
Wan Junaidi added that he will raise the matter during the next cabinet meeting to remind ministers not to circumvent SOPs, which will be announced by the MoH and NSC.
He was responding to Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (Kulim Bandar Baru-PH) who wanted assurance that there will not be double standards in SOP enforcement during the election.
Saifuddin had expressed concern that government politicians and parties will be allowed to conduct physical programmes under the pretext of “government official events”, while the opposition will not be able to do so.
The PKR secretary-general noted that Melaka is currently under Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), which allows most forms of gatherings.
“Under the NRP, government events are allowed. But under the EC’s election SOPs, will they be banned? We don’t want double standards where the EC’s SOPs only apply to us (opposition).
“This will create tension that is hard to control,” he said.
Melaka heads to the polls November 20, with nomination day on November 8, allowing parties 11 days to campaign.
Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had said on October 24 that no physical activities related to elections are allowed between yesterday and November 27.
Wan Junaidi said that presently, the EC, MoH and NSC are finalising SOPs for the Melaka election, taking into consideration the Covid-19 pandemic.
An announcement is expected to be made before nomination day, he said.
Wan Junaidi added that the government will find middle ground to ensure democratic vibrancy while at the same time keeping everyone safe from the coronavirus. – The Vibes, October 26, 2021
