DESPITE a ban on public gathering and door-to door campaigning for the Melaka state polls, it seems that several political parties are already flouting the rules in their quest for votes.
And these transgressions were apparently done by none other than Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s own party members from UMNO and ally Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), which did not go unnoticed by the public.
“It was easy to give a snarky reply to a lecturer who has no power and only has opinions. Not so easy to call out your own party people, or your allies in Government, who keep you in power,” he mocked Khairy in a tweet.
Syahredzan added it was why he disagreed on the total ban on campaigning, realising that rules would not be applied across the board.
“To me, it advantages the Government. But, if there is a party (my party as well) that violates the ban, there is no objection if they are compounded. What we want is equality in implementation.”
On Oct 24, Khairy announced a ban on all forms of public gatherings and speeches for the Melaka state polls, slated for Nov 28.
“This includes a ban on all forms of activities which will attract mass gatherings, including the launch of a political party’s election campaign machinery.
“The ban will take effect tomorrow and end on Nov 27. Any individual or bodies that flouts the rule risk getting fined or charged in court under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (PCID),” the Rembau MP was reported saying.
However, it was found that his own party members were flouting the ban, with Barisan Nasional (BN) getting fined for RM10,000 for failing to maintain social distancing during its election machinery launch at the Putra World Trade Centre last week.
The social media is also filled with pictures of former UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Bersatu supremo Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, mingling around with crowd in Melaka.
What’s your strategy, Pakatan?
Livid over the matter, Lim himself urged the Health Ministry to scrap the ban; if it has no intention of punishing Najib and Muhyiddin for flouting the mandate.
“Najib and Muhyiddin are defying the ban on physical election activities in Malacca through ‘disguised’ programmes,” the Iskandar Puteri MP alleged.
Touching on the matter, user Zulkefli Yusof said in a jest that Najib is no longer planning to visit Singapore as he was busy ‘vacationing’ in Melaka.
User John Tan “defended” the duo, saying Najib and Muhyiddin were just having tea time with professionals there.
However, user Tofu PH Without Anwar urged Pakatan Harapan leaders to quit complaining of the situation and find a way to work around the matter. – Oct 31, 2021
