GATHERINGS of any kind cannot breach the government’s standard operating procedure (SOP), Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said.

He said it doesn’t matter which political party or group gathers and whether the meet is for any election.

“Whether there is an election or not, not only in Malacca but wherever. The Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) is still in use. The SOP are still in use… such as social distancing, wearing face masks.

“It’s not just for the elections,” he said in Malacca today at an event that was live-streamed by Astro Awani.

Hamzah was commenting on the RM10,000 fine issued to Barisan Nasional (BN) for breaching SOP at the launch of its Malacca election machinery, the RM4,000 fine issued to a Muda member for attending a press conference at an open space in Malacca.

Last Sunday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had barred any activities, rallies or social gatherings related to the Malacca state elections.

He said this ban is in line with the list of activities that are not allowed under the latest National Recovery Plan SOP for phase 4.

“Any individual, organiser or organisations who violate this provision may be subject to legal action such as compounding or prosecution in court if convicted of an offense under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342),” he said.

Hamzah said when the Election Commission releases its SOP they would differ from the current ones.

“It (SOP) is still not announced by the EC. When it is done, we will take action based on what the EC announced.

“There is a difference between both (Act 342 and EC SOP).”

He added that if political parties want to campaign in the elections, then they will have to wait until the SOP are announced by the EC. – October 30, 2021.