BN accepts RM10k fine, sec-gen says movement outside halls 'beyond control'

BN has accepted an RM10,000 compound issued by the Health Ministry over the launch of its Malacca polls machinery in Kuala Lumpur last night.

BN secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir said while the invite list had taken into consideration Covid-19 capacity restrictions in two separate halls at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), movements outside the venue rooms were beyond the organiser's control.

"For information, attendance at the launch event in Dewan Tun Hussein and Dewan Tun Ismail in WTCKL yesterday took the capacity limit into consideration.

"However, a large number of movements outside the halls were beyond the organiser's control. 

"Nonetheless, as a coalition that holds to and abides by the law, BN will pay the compound," Zambry (above) added.

In a short statement on Facebook, the Health Ministry last night said the compound was issued by its Kepong Health Office to the BN executive secretary for violating the government's standard operating procedures (SOPs) for social events.

'No events in Malacca'

Zambry further said while BN respected the ban on Malacca election-related public events, the directive announced by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin on Oct 24 was taken to only cover functions held in the state.

"Therefore, the BN machinery launch originally scheduled to be held in Malacca was moved to WTCKL last night.

"WTCKL was chosen as the venue given Kuala Lumpur has entered Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan, allowing a function to be held at 50 percent of the hall's capacity," he added.

Based on Malaysiakini’s observation, the event was attended by at least several hundred BN leaders and members from across various states.

Chairs in the two halls were kept apart to follow social distancing requirements and there were repeated announcements from the organiser for all in attendance, particularly the ones mingling outside the rooms, to observe Covid-19 protocols.

Malacca Umno liaison chief Ab Rauf Yusoh delivered the opening address, followed by Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan as BN Malacca polls election director, as well as Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Also present were leaders and members from MCA, MIC and PBRS as BN components. - Mkini