KUALA LUMPUR – Government backbencher Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (Pontian-BN) has urged Putrajaya to review its standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Melaka election, seeing that Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has prohibited any election campaign activities.
The Umno lawmaker said during the debate to annul the emergency proclamation that the term for the restrictions were “too broad” as it encompasses all campaigning activities during the election.
“The Delta variant has become an excuse for the Melaka election SOP. As a member of the government, I cannot accept this. I can’t accept that any activities relating to the state election are not allowed.
“The terms are too broad. If we read the sentence, it also means any activities relating to the election are not allowed from today to November 27. We hold an election, but we can’t do any election activities.
“I hope this is reviewed by the government. At least allow house-to-house visits, small scale ceramah,” said Maslan.
He added that he had read the Health Ministry’s website on the Delta variant and argued that its infectivity for those who have been vaccinated is low and even if someone catches the bug, it will not be as severe that it requires hospitalisation.
Yesterday, election watchdog Bersih 2.0 had also called Khairy to review the ban on gathering for the Melaka polls, saying that it is tantamount to suppressing democracy.
It expressed concern that, as state media agencies tend to give wider coverage to parties aligned with the ruling coalition, opposition candidates will be placed at a disadvantage.
Instead, Bersih 2.0 suggested that the government implement stricter enforcement of SOPs under the National Recovery Plan by increasing the number of enforcers during campaigning. – The Vibes, October 25, 2021
