KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) has been slapped with a RM1,000 fine following the launching ceremony of its state chapter Johor in Kota Tinggi last night, which was attended by coalition its leaders.
A snapshot of the compound issued to the Bersatu Kota Tinggi division committee secretary Mohd Faizam Mohd Sebalas was sighted.
The compound was issued to the coalition at 8:59pm last night for the failure of ensuring social distancing among its attendees.
Among those present at the event were PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and Gerakan president Senator Datuk Dominic Lau Hoe Chai.
Other PN component parties’ leaders were also in attendance, such as Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (Bersatu supreme council member and international trade and industry minister), Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PAS deputy president and environment and water minister) as well as Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN Youth deputy chief and deputy national unity minister).
Based on photographs of the event shared by Azmin on his Facebook account, it could be seen that thousands of PN members and supporters were gathered under a tent without observing physical distancing.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin who had contracted Covid-19 last week said he had fully recovered from the coronavirus.
Earlier, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had accused the Election Commission (EC) for practising “double standards” for limiting political ceramah to the official campaigning period and party facilities, while PN’s campaign has begun.
According to a report by Malaysiakini, Lim said PN held a gathering that was allegedly attended by 2,000 people in Kota Tinggi, Johor last night.
However, according to rules published by the EC last night, ceramah events will be limited to only 100 people at party facilities when the campaigning period officially kicks off on February 26, which is nomination day.
He lambasted the EC, saying that it is illogical that an event attended by 2,000 people organised by PN is allowed before nomination day, but opposition parties are prohibited from doing the same during the campaigning period. – The Vibes, February 19, 2022