Steven Choong (Independent-Tebrau) has welcomed the ban on physical and social gatherings related to the upcoming Malacca state polls, which he said was caused by selfish politicians.
“I welcome the government’s announcement that political gatherings are banned in the Malacca state election starting Oct 25 to avoid a spike in Covid-19 cases, as happened in the Sabah state election last year.
“We in politics should always place the health of the rakyat as our main agenda.
“Unfortunately, (politicians) for their own benefit have triggered the Malacca state election at a time when it is not so appropriate for the normal rakyat out there,” Choong said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was debating on the revocation of the emergency ordinances, which was earlier tabled by de facto law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Choong had in February quit PKR to become an independent MP aligned to the Perikatan Nasional-led government under the leadership of then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.
His departure coincided with that of two other MPs who also quit PKR, namely Kuala Langat MP Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Julau MP Larry S’ng.
All three also backed Umno’s Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the new prime minister after Muhyiddin, who is the Bersatu president, lost his majority.
In his debate today, Choong suggested even tighter standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Malacca state election in order to prevent the rise of Covid-19 cases again.
Among his suggestions included a ban on supporters gathering on nomination day and polling day as well as a limit on the number of voters who are allowed to enter the voting centre at one time.
The Malacca state election was triggered by an unsuccessful coup by four assemblypersons who withdrew their support for then chief minister Sulaiman Ali.
The four were former Malacca chief minister Idris Haron (Sungai Udang), Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor), Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas) and Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu).
Malacca will go to the polls on Nov 20 with nomination day set for Nov 8. - Mkini
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