BARISAN Nasional (BN) is finding it difficult to gauge the support of the people in the Malacca state elections due to restrictions under the tight standard operating procedure (SOP), Annuar Musa said.

The Ketereh Umno division chief said this is based on information gathered by the party election machinery.

“The sentiment, spirits and commitment of the machinery are very high… I think that gives BN a big advantage,” he said in Jasin today.

“However, the people’s sentiment is difficult to assess because we have fewer opportunities to meet them in person.”

However, Annuar is confident that the BN machinery is capable of keeping up the momentum to ensure its campaign continues to be well received.

“Based on what I was told, the situation is generally good and we hope the campaign momentum can be maintained until polling day,” he said.

On Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) suggestion for a televised debate to be held between Malacca chief minister candidates of various parties, Annuar, who is communications and multimedia minister, said it is not suitable to held on government channels as it involves only a state.

“We have discussed the matter. For now, it is not suitable yet to be done on national channels, but the debate can still be held via portals and private channels,” he said.

“We have to bear in mind that after this, there will be elections in a bigger state involving more candidates, and maybe the general election in the future.”

Annuar said the ministry has so far decided to allow RTM to give airtime for candidates representing parties or independents to introduce themselves fairly.

On Thursday, PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim floated the idea of having a public debate among candidates who have been nominated by their parties for the chief minister’s post. – Bernama, November 13, 2021.