THE Health Ministry has barred any activities, rallies or social gatherings related to the Malacca state election, said Khairy Jamaluddin.

The health minister said the decision takes effect tomorrow (October 25) until November 27.

The state goes to the polls on November 20.

Khairy said the decision was made as the risk of transmission of Covid-19 is still high, and an increase in the number of new cases reported.,

He noted that these activities would further heighten the transmission of the virus.

He said pursuant to the provisions under sub-regulation 10 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, assembly activities are not permitted.

“No person shall, while in any recovery phase, assemble or engage in any assembly at any premises in any local area of infection whether for religious purposes, marriage, sports, recreation, social or cultural,” the sub-regulation reads.

The minister said this ban is also in line with the list of activities that are not allowed under the latest National Recovery Plan standard operating procedure for phase 4, namely any activity that can complicate social distancing and other SOP regulations that are not in line with the health director-general’s instructions.

“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.

The Malacca government collapsed after four assemblymen pulled their support for the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional state government led by Umno.

The October 4 defection was led by Umno strongman Idris Haron (Sg Udang-BN), with the support of Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor-BN), Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu-Ind) and Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas-PN).

The governor then announced the dissolution of the 28-seat state assembly, paving the way for polls on November 20.– October 24, 2021.