MELAKA – Some 16 compounds amounting to a staggering RM198,000 have been issued so far to political parties for breaching standard operating procedures (SOPs) relating to the Melaka election.
The compounds were served to various parties since October 25 as physical activities linked to the polls were barred, said Melaka deputy police chief Datuk Razali Abu Samah.
Razali said in a press conference that police have also initiated 41 investigation papers, while 130 more police reports have been lodged and are being looked into.
“For the compounds, police issued 11 of them, the Health Ministry served two, while three more were issued during joint operations by enforcement agencies.
“In total, the 16 compounds amount to RM198,000,” he said, stopping short of providing details on which parties committed the most offences.
On the 41 investigation papers, Razali said police have called up the respective organisers and parties involved to record their statements before submitting them to the deputy public prosecutor for action.
He added that among the offences committed include campaigning while doing house visits, campaigning at eateries while using party logos, and holding press conferences with big crowds.
“There are also parties conducting walkabouts with a huge number of attendees.”
Responding to accusations that police are issuing compounds for outlandish reasons, such as wearing clothes bearing the party’s logo, Razali this is only a concern if they involve large gathering with no physical distancing.
Last week, PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil revealed on Twitter that a RM4,000 compound was served on a Pakatan Harapan candidate for wearing a jacket with the coalition’s logo during campaigning.
The police had told The Vibes then that campaigning while wearing anything with party emblems may attract crowds and increase the risk of Covid-19 infection.
To date, the largest known compound issued during campaigning was for a Barisan Nasional event in Selandar near Asahan that was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The organiser – believed to be the coalition’s head of the district polling centre for Asahan – was issued a RM20,000 fine for breaching SOPs in failing to maintain safe distancing. – The Vibes, November 15, 2021
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