Authorities accused of crashing Harapan leadership meeting

 

The Health Ministry and the police have been accused of wrongfully "raiding" a Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting at a hotel yesterday.

According to PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil, the raiding party arrived at the La Crista Hotel in Malacca and barged into the meeting while taking pictures of the participants.

Fahmi said the raiding party only desisted after three council members, who happen to be on the federal government's Covid-19 Pandemic Management Committee, explained that government rules allow for political parties to hold meetings.

"The question is: Why are some parties being subjected to stricter standard operating procedure (SOP) curbs than others?" asked Fahmi during his press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

He also alleged that the Paya Rumput PKR branch was visited three times by the police in one day for alleged SOP violations.

He claimed that each time, the party activists would be subjected to document checks.

"Another question for the authorities is whether they are trying to overcome a virus or democracy," added Fahmi.

PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil

Campaigning for the Malacca election is strictly regulated with bans on house visits, gatherings and physical contact with voters, among others.

Fahmi said the rules are overly strict and need to be reviewed, citing one that prevents direct leafleting.

"When we are leafleting, we have to drop the leaflets in a mailbox. If the house owner wants to say hello, we can't even shake hands or hand it (leaflet) to them?

"Malay culture dictates that we need to greet each other. Now we can't even hand them a leaflet. What is the problem? Why are the rules so strict? It does not make sense," he added.

Fahmi hoped that the rules will be revised for the Sarawak election and the next general election. - Mkini