KUALA LUMPUR – Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa will be seeing RTM on possibly granting opposition candidates for the Melaka election some airtime on national television.
He told a press conference today that he is well aware of the request made by Pakatan Harapan to level the playing field, seeing that candidates are not allowed to have public visits, gatherings, or ceramah under the election’s Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“I’m aware of the request and we are looking into the matter. I will have a discussion with RTM and it is important to make some kind of arrangement to give them an opportunity on this. I will make an announcement in two days’ time.
“I understand what they are requesting and also the campaign issues they face under the SOP. I will look into this handicap as they can’t organise any ceramah. However, I also see that political parties have introduced new methods of campaigning.
“But they should still appear on television networks,” said Annuar at the sidelines of the Digital Nasional Bhd 5G Multi-Operator Core Network Integration Implementation ceremony.
The Ketereh lawmaker also dismissed concerns that the three ruling coalitions Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional, and Muafakat Nasional are facing one another in the state election.
He said that he cannot comment about other parties but observed that such a situation is normal in a democracy.
“Even though Umno and PAS are contesting against each other, it doesn’t mean that our relationship has soured. This is a state election. It’s not something unusual. In other countries, there is competition in state elections as well.
“However, we can work at the federal level together. The campaign continues but engagement by the party leaders still continues. We are still a government together.” – The Vibes, November 10, 2021
