PUTRAJAYA must allocate equal airtime for the opposition, following a ban on all normal election campaign methods in the upcoming Malacca polls, said analysts.

They told The Malaysian Insight that allowing equal access to national and state television and radio to the opposition will be an acid test for Malaysia, and can be continued in the 15th general election, expected to be called next year.

With the ban on traditional campaign methods, the opposition will struggle to catch up with the government election machinery, they added.

Bersih 2.0 chairman Thomas Fann said the Election Commission (EC) must direct the government to allow equal airtime for the opposition.

He also suggested national television hold debates between chief minister candidates from both sides.

“While we understand the need to restrict physical gatherings during the Malacca elections, we call on the EC to provide alternative means of campaigning for the candidates and parties.

“The EC can direct government-owned media outlets like Bernama and RTM to arrange equal airtime for political parties to present their policies and plans for Malacca should they win.”

These media outlets can also organise debates between chief minister candidates to allow voters to judge their competency, he added.

“In short, do not just restrict, but also give alternatives.”

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had earlier announced that no rally or social gathering can be held for the Malacca polls, slated to be held on November 20.

He said the decision is made as the Covid-19 transmission risk is still high, with a climb in the number of new cases reported.

The ban is in line with the list of barred activities under Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan, namely any activity that can complicate social distancing and other standard operating procedures not in line with the health director-general’s instructions, he added.

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

Iman Research programme director Badrul Hisham Ismail agreed with Fann, saying that equal airtime must be given to the opposition.

“It is about fairness. Even without the pandemic, the opposition has the right to have equal airtime like the government.

“Since there is no direct campaign, Putrajaya must give the opposition airtime on Bernama or RTM, including their radio channels.”

Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said without a conventional election campaign, the opposition may face an uphill battle to compete with government election machinery.

“For years, the opposition has been depending on house-to-house campaigns, rallies and talks. They do not have any government election machinery to carry out their campaign.

“The state elections can be the acid test for our country. If the opposition is given equal airtime, this method can be used in the general election next year.”

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). – October 24, 2021.