KUALA LUMPUR – The strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) implemented for the Melaka polls is due to the lessons learnt from the previous Sabah by-election.
While debating the annulment of emergency ordinances, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali said the Sabah by-election last year caused a rise in Covid-19 cases and clusters throughout the country.
Based on surveillance by the Health Ministry (MoH), Dr Noor Azmi said the spike in infections was caused by interstate travel among those going to vote, and individuals going to campaign or even to provide support.
“We don’t want to end up crying over spilt milk (nasi menjadi bubur).
“Based on our previous experience in Sabah, we don’t want the same thing to happen in Melaka,” Dr Noor Azmi said.
Meanwhile, he pointed out that Melaka is currently experiencing a relatively high rate of infections.
Yesterday alone, Melaka registered 262 infections and 2,651 active cases.
Furthermore, there are 6,000 individuals declared close contacts under surveillance.
“Taking into account gatherings and campaigns related to elections, it is difficult to control – which causes infections, as well as clusters.
“To reduce the chances of infections, among the steps taken is to prohibit gatherings and social events,” Dr Noor Azmi said.
Earlier, government backbencher Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (Pontian-BN) urged Putrajaya to review its SOPs for the Melaka polls, 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 terms for the restrictions are “too broad” as they encompass all campaigning activities during an election.
“The Delta variant has become an excuse for the Melaka election SOPs. 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, (or) small-scale ceramah,” said Ahmad.
Ahmad added that he had read MoH’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 also called for Khairy to review the ban on gatherings for the Melaka polls, saying that it is tantamount to suppressing democracy.
It expressed concern that – as state media agencies have a tendency to give wider coverage to parties aligned with the ruling coalition – opposition candidates will be placed at a disadvantage.
Instead, the election watchdog suggested 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
Additional reporting by Azril Annuar
