A PROGRAMME organised for Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob in Asahan, Malacca, has been hit with a RM20,000 fine for violating the Covid-19 standard operations procedures.

A health officer from Jasin Health Centre confirmed that the compound was issued to the head of the Barisan Nasional (BN) Asahan polling centre.

BN declined to comment.

Ismail is on a day-long visit to Malacca and chatted with voters at Medan Selera Selandar, accompanied by former prime minister Najib Razak.

It is estimated that more than 60 people were in the food court when the programme took place, with some taking the opportunity to take pictures with the prime minister.

The Malacca elections are scheduled to take place on November 20, with parties halfway through a 12-day campaign period.

The Asahan state seat will see a six-way fight between former Malacca chief minister Idris Haron, now contesting under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) banner, BN candidate Fairul Nizam Roslan and Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Dhanesh Basil.

They are joined by three independent candidates: Azmar Ab Hamid; Mohd Akhir Ayob; and Mohd Noor Salleh.

The compound was issued shortly after Ismail left the food court area at 12.30pm.

On November 2, compounds were issued against organisers at two separate events attended by two former prime ministers, Najib Razak and Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Health Ministry said Malacca PN and another individual have been issued compounds of RM20,000 and RM4,000 respectively for failing to practise social distancing at events attended by the two.

Both compound notices were issued to the organisers for failing to ensure social distancing among the people who attended.

Najib was seen attending events in Malacca and was given a hero’s welcome by the people.

However, he said he was only a visitor and was not conducting any political event.

Muhyiddin, who is PN chairman, was also in Malacca the same day in a PN shirt and visited several stalls selling affordable staple goods.

On October 24, the Health Ministry issued a ban on all physical gatherings and social events for the Malacca election from October 25 to November 27.

Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the ban was made under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), which states that there should not be any mass gatherings of people under any phase of the national recovery plan. – November 14, 2021.