SEVERAL top Barisan Nasional leaders will be compounded for breaching the Covid SOP at the launch of the Johor MIC Brigade at EduCity Kota Iskandar, Johor today, Khairy Jamaluddin said.

This includes BN treasurer-General Hishammudin Hussein, Johor Umno chief Hasni Mohammad and MIC President S A Vigneswaran.

The Health Minister said they would be fined for violating standard operating procedures (SOP) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

“I have instructed officers from the Ministry of Health to issue a compound to Hishammuddin, Hasni, Vigneswaran, key leaders present and organisers under Act 342.

“The Ministry will continue to monitor the SOP in conjunction with the Johor state election,” Khairy posted in his official Twitter account.

Yesterday, Khairy said that the SOPs for the Johor polls would be less stringent than those applied for the Sarawak and Malacca polls, despite surging daily infection figures.

Khairy said this was based on studies done by the ministry concerning the effects of the Omicron Covid variant on public health and the fact that the country has achieved a high vaccination rate.

He said that the ministry had finalised the SOPs, however he did not elaborate but said that the Election Commission will announce it soon.

Khairy, however, stressed that compliance with the SOP during the Johor polls, including among political leaders, is important to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The EC has set March 12 for polling while nominations will be held on February 26 and early voting on March 8. – February 13, 2022.