THE Election Commission and the Health Ministry are being overzealous in enforcing the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Malacca state elections, said Mohamad Hasan.
 
The Barisan Nasional deputy chairman said this has put the coalition’s election machinery in a spot in trying to reach out to voters.
 
Mohamad, or Tok Mat as he is popularly known, said he is disappointed with the Health Ministry as well as the Election Commission for putting too many restrictions on the campaigning. 
 
“The EC and the Health Ministry must give deep thought to this matter. They cannot be overzealous. Our grassroots members, especially the women, are traumatised because their names were taken down when trying to carry out their work as party members.
 
“We can’t put up flags (or) give out flyers. I understand about the no-ceramah (rule) to stop the spread of Covid-19 but why can’t we meet people at wet markets, do walkabouts or carry out house visits?
 
“Give us political parties some room. Allowing two people to conduct house-to-house visits is already enough.
 
“This is the campaigning period. Let us carry out our campaigning. Set out a SOP so it can be followed. We have done it in the Slim River and Chini by-elections,” he said during a press conference today after launching the BN Malacca state elections manifesto.
 
The BN, in its manifesto themed Stability for Prosperity, outlined five thrust areas and 103 initiatives.
 
Mohamad pledged to allocate equal funding to all 28 state legislative members.

“We promise to allocate equal funding for all 28 assemblymen, including opposition members; a step to ensure prosperity for all people in the state, regardless of political backgrounds,” he said.
 
As part of its plan to ensure political stability in the state, Mohamad said BN will amend the state constitution to allow the appointment of five additional state assemblymen representing the youth and civil society groups.

“BN is looking to amend the state constitution to allow the appointment of five more state assemblymen from the youth and civil society groups to allow space and perspectives outside the scope of politics.”

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin had earlier announced that all physical gatherings and social events related to the upcoming Malacca elections are banned from October 25 to November 27.

Citing a need to reduce the risk of new Covid-19 infections, Khairy said the ban includes functions to launch the elections machinery of the various parties.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Umno have both been fined RM10,000 for violating the SOP.

PN, PH and BN are contesting in all 28 seats, with sub-parties Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman) contesting one seat and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), led by Ibrahim Ali, vying for five seats.

The Malacca assembly was dissolved after four assemblymen withdrew their support for Sulaiman Md Ali. They are Idris Haron (Sg Udang), Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor), Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu) and Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas).

Idris, who is also a former Malacca chief minister, and Nor Azman will be contesting under the PH banner. – November 10, 2021.