Campaigning, ceramah and operations centres allowed in Slim by-election

SLIM POLLS | Operations centres for political parties as well as campaigning and ceramah in closed areas would be allowed in the upcoming Slim by-election.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for by-election campaigns in Slim would follow those implemented in the previous Chini by-election, but with several improvements.

"Among the (fine-tuned) SOPs include allowing both main operations centre and smaller subsidiary operations centres.

"Campaigning and ceramah events are allowed to take place in closed or gated areas only, to help the monitoring process.

"The number of people at one time is based on the (size) of the area and not allowed to exceed 250," he said in a press conference in Putrajaya today.

The parties involved have to register the operations centres with the Election Commission (EC), he said.

Ismail reminded those involved to follow normal Covid-19 SOPs such as wearing face masks and observe social distancing.

He said the EC will be discussing with political representatives or individuals involved in the polls on the by-election guidelines.

The Slim state seat fell vacant after four-term incumbent Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib passed away on July 15, from a cardiac arrest.

The by-election will be held on Aug 29, with nominations on Aug 15.

During the previous Chini by-election, EC had imposed stringent SOPs where subsidiary operations centres, ceramah events and huge gatherings involving the candidate or party supporters were disallowed.

Change of menu for people under quarantine at hotels

Meanwhile, Ismail said he had taken note of complaints on food provided for those under quarantine at hotels.

Responding to media questions that several hotels had allegedly provided unhygienic food, the senior minister said the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) had taken action on the matter.

"This matter was relayed to Nadma, and it has taken the appropriate action.

"The latest (update) I received is that the menu has been changed," he said.

The food quality at hotels converted into quarantine centres became a topic for debate among netizens, which some labelling those quarantined there as "kluster kayangan" (the rich cluster) due to their complaints.

Some of those unhappy had shared pictures of their meals on the Internet to show the poor quality of the food provided while others were satisfied with the meals served.

Lack of food supply at certain localities under semi-enhanced MCO

Meanwhile, some folk in localities under the administrative semi-enhanced movement control order (MCO) in Kedah purportedly complained that they were short of food.

Ismail said that he would inform the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to increase supply in affected areas.

Four localities in Kedah were put under stricter MCO measures following a spike in Covid-19 cases belonging to a cluster dubbed the "Sivagangga cluster".

-Mkini