THE government should not introduce standard operating procedure (SOP) to curb campaigning but have SOP to keep people safe from Covid-19 infections, said Oscar Ling.

“The SOP that are being introduced in the Malacca elections are unfair to new parties and the opposition as they have no access to mainstream media such as television,” said the Sibu lawmaker during the debate on the 2022 Supply Bill in Dewan Rakyat today.

He said the election SOP in Malacca was against democracy as opposition and new parties will not be able to campaign effectively.

“More so if the same SOP is to be used in the upcoming Sarawak state elections.

“Unlike Malacca, Sarawak is so big, with huge areas in the interiors that have no internet access at all. We can only campaign physically to introduce ourselves and our policies,” said the DAP lawmaker.

Ling was commenting on the election SOP that was announced today after the nominations in Malacca.

According to the new SOP, the only form of campaigning allowed in the Malacca state polls is the use of loudspeakers from moving vehicles at fixed time slots.

This means there can be no ceramah (campaign speech events and rallies), no door-to-door visits by candidates or supporters to canvas for votes and no walkabout activities.

On the use of loudspeakers from vehicles, this can only be done after the candidate obtains a police permit.

The vehicle also cannot stop along its route so as to prevent crowds from gathering. – November 8, 2021.