Revise SOPs for Johor polls amid rising infections – Haniza Mohamed Talha

PARTI Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) strongly urges the relevant authorities to take a serious look at the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place for the Johor election, especially during campaigning.

This comes following the high number of Covid-19 infections which have since affected the electoral candidates, party members and even members of the media covering the campaigns.

The five candidates affected so far include Pakatan Harapan’s Jementah candidate Ng Kor Sim; Pekan Nanas candidate Yeo Tung Siong (Pakatan Harapan); Penggaram candidate Ter Hwa Kwong (Barisan Nasional); Bukit Batu candidate Chiong Sen Sern (PKR); and Gambir candidate Naim Jusri (PKR).

PBM learnt that members and workers from other political parties were also infected. We are greatly concerned over this and fear the infections will worsen, while it could even be a repeat of what happened in Sabah if no action is taken, especially come polling day.

On our part, we have made it mandatory for all our party volunteers to undergo a Covid-19 test every other day.

As an immediate measure, the relevant authorities should look into the SOPs on campaigning as at least seven journalists covering the campaign trails have been infected.

Journalists and photographers have no choice at times but to attend campaigns which often attract large crowds, as such events are often held in remote locations. 

PBM feels it would be better at this time if the parties organising such events provided live online coverage where the public and the media could tune it without the need for any physical presence.

Also, the communication teams for the respective candidates must be more proactive and cater to requests from journalists for questions and interviews effectively rather than telling them to meet during campaign trails.

PBM hopes the relevant authorities and all political parties concerned will play their part to help ensure the situation does not get worse and to revise the current SOPs to ensure the safety of everyone, especially voters on polling day. – The Vibes, March 6, 2022

Haniza Mohamed Talha is PBM’s Johor election director