Review ban on activities, social functions for Melaka election — MPs

KUALA LUMPUR: Several Members of Parliament (MP) who took part in the debate on the revocation of the Emergency Ordinances at Dewan Rakyat yesterday questioned the ban on activities, assemblies, or social events for the Melaka state election (PRN).

Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) requested the government to relook the decision which came into effect yesterday until Nov 27, by allowing short activities such as house-to-house visits.

“I myself as a member supporting the government, cannot accept that all election activities are not allowed.

“I am asking the government to review so that events such small ceramahs and house-tohouse visits as well as small gatherings could be carried out,” he said.

Mohamad Sabu (PH-Kota Raja) when interjecting the debate of Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PH-Kulim Bandar Bharu) questioned why such standard operating procedures (SOP) have to be created when Melaka is already in Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan.

“Restaurants are already full, malls are full, wedding feasts can be held, lectures are conducted but ceramahs cannot be held, house-to-house visit not allowed, campaign not allowed,” he said.

Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PH-Setiawangsa) said the government and the Election Commission (EC) should be clearer on the double standard of not allowing any activities or social functions related to the election when it was conducted according to SOP which is tighter than the Sabah state election.

For example, he said Singapore which held its general election last year allowed party political broadcast fairly among all contesting parties.

“I am asking the government to give the same assurance... we need to give the same access to all contesting parties.

“If Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan are contesting, it should be evenly provided.

“We as elected representatives are asking for this assurance and it should be a reference point when we move to the other elections in future,” he said.

For Steven Choong Shiau Yoon (Independent-Tebrau), he welcomed the government’s announcement to ban all activities and assemblies to reduce the risk of spreading infection as Covid-19 cases are rising.

He also proposed tight SOP for the state election, among them a ban on supporter assembly on nomination day set on Nov 8 and polling date on Nov 20 as well as reducing the number of voters at each polling centre at one time.

On Sunday, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that apart from activities, assemblies and social functions, the organising of ceremonies to launch election machinery are also not allowed.

Based on monitoring by the Health Ministry (MOH), Khairy said among the contributors to the increase of Covid-19 cases and clusters in the country are linked to assemblies or social functions which did not comply with SOP.

A total of 18 MPs took part in the debate session on the revocation of seven emergency ordinances namely the Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021; Emergency Ordinance (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Amendment) 2021; Emergency Ordinance (Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation and Employee Facilities) (Amendment) 2021 and Emergency Ordinance (Essential Powers) (No. 2) 2021.

In addition, it also covers the Emergency (Essential Powers) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021; Emergency (Compulsory Attendance of Offenders) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021; and the Emergency (National Trust Fund) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021. — Bernama