Malacca polls need to be held with strict SOP adherence - expert

 

The Malacca state election, if it is called anytime soon, needs to be held in compliance with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) and handling process to prevent the spread of Covid-19, according to a public health expert.

Malaysian Public Health Physicians’ Association president Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar said an election risk management plan should also be put in place for the prevention of Covid-19.

“Maybe we can’t use the Sabah state election in September last year as a benchmark because at that time, there was no vaccine. To hold the Malacca elections, there are still concerns and risks,” he told Bernama when contacted today.

Zainal Ariffin said previously, the association had discussed and submitted the proposed SOP for elections to the Election Commission (EC).

Among the SOPs are reducing face-to-face campaigns and mass gatherings, expanding the use of social media as well as shortening campaigning time and allowing only those who are fully vaccinated to campaign and vote.

Zainal Ariffin said the Malacca polls could also be used as a “test lab” to see the effectiveness of the country’s vaccination programme.

Although the nation’s vaccination rate against Covid-19 is fast approaching the 90 percent milestone, the risk of infection is still there.

Currently, the vaccination rate of the adult population in Malacca, which is under Phase 3 of the National Recovery Plan, is at 88.5 percent.

Meanwhile, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Public Health Specialist Assoc Prof Dr Malina Osman is of the view that the country is still in a critical situation that requires the commitment of all parties to bring the country out of the pandemic.

“The dissolution of the state assembly should not be an option at a time when the people are going through a critical phase towards recovery from the pandemic.

“We are facing the possible risk of recurrence of infection due to election as happened in Sabah. It (election) should be postponed and avoided,” she said.

Yesterday, the EC received the official notification about the dissolution of the 14th Malacca Legislative Assembly.

This means that the state will have to hold a snap election within 60 days.

Speaker Ab Rauf Yusoh announced earlier that Yang di-Pertua Negeri Mohd Ali Rustam had consented to the dissolution on Oct 4 after four Malacca assemblyperson declared that they had lost confidence in Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali.

- Bernama