ZURAIDA Kamaruddin agrees with the Election Commission and says ministers should not campaign during office hours.

The Housing and Local Government Minister said it will not be difficult to comply and follow the ruling by the  Election Commission.

“Even if Ministers are banned from campaigning, it won’t have an effect. We have party workers who can campaign during office hours.

“Others can do the campaigning,” she told reporters today after attending a dialogue in the capital.

Yesterday, the EC’s new chairman Azhar Azizan Harun said politicians holding government posts, including ministers, should not be involved in election campaigning during office hours.

He said election activities during office hours were an abuse of power.

He also said that these politicians should not use government assets and facilities for campaigning purposes.

“EC is aware that Cabinet members and politicians holding government posts have the right to campaign for a party as it is (their) party activity.

“(But) they must know the difference in their responsibilities as a government employee or as an executive staff and as party leaders or members,” he said in a statement yesterday.

In the current Port Dickson by-election, several ministers had been campaigning in support of PH candidate Anwar Ibrahim.

They include Anwar’s wife, deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Communications and Media Minister Gobind Singh Deo and Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is set to stump for Anwar tonight. – October 8, 2018.