FOLLOWING uproar, the latest COVID-19 prevention standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Johor state election has been revised to allow speakers at ceramah sessions to remove their face masks during talks.
The Election Commission (EC) issued the latest SOP yesterday, based on suggested additional amendments from the Health Ministry (MOH) and the National Security Council (NSC).
According to the latest SOP, speakers have to put their face masks back on after finishing their speech or talk.
Also, all attendees of ceramah sessions, talks or campaigns must always have their face masks on and maintain physical distancing of at least one metre between individuals.
For party meeting activities, the SOP states that all attendees must wear their face masks at all times and maintain physical distancing of at least one metre. Physical greetings are not allowed.
“Amendments to the COVID-19 prevention SOP is effective immediately,” the EC said, adding that it hoped that all parties would comply with the laws, regulations and campaign ethics and not disrupt public order and safety.
Two days ago, netizens vented their frustration on social media after an EC official reprimanded PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for not wearing a face mask when giving ceramah at the Larkin state constituency.
The Port Dickson MP retaliated by schooling the officer on guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and MOH, which does not require those speaking on open areas to mask up.
Netizens also pointed out the double standards where Anwar was reprimanded for not wearing a mask during ceramah while no action was taken against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for not wearing face mask at a ceramah in the on-going Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia tour.
Johoreans will go to the polls on Saturday, with early voting scheduled today. – March 8, 2022.
Main photo credit: Malay Mail
