Malacca polls: Nearly RM200k in compounds issued over SOP violations so far

A total of 16 compounds totalling RM198,000 were issued to political parties and individuals for violating the stipulated standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Malacca state election from Oct 25 to Nov 15.

Malacca deputy police chief Razali Abu Samah said 11 of the compounds were issued by the police, two by the Health Ministry and three by the Integrated Team.

The compounds were issued for offences that included house-to-house campaigning for the purpose of distributing leaflets face-to-face, campaigning at eateries in groups, holding meetings in small rooms, walkabouts and making public broadcasts openly at locations involving the presence of many people.

“Overall, the level of SOP compliance among political parties is at 95 percent and monitoring will be enhanced,” Razali told a press conference in Malacca yesterday.

He said 130 reports had been lodged during the same period against political parties for SOP violations (non-compoundable offences) while 41 investigation papers have been opened.

Razali said police have approved 62 permits for political parties to hold ceramah sessions using vehicles from Nov 8 to Nov 15.

In a separate development, he said police have also carried out dry-runs to prevent any untoward incidents from occurring during today's early voting process for the Malacca state election.

The Election Commission set the voting date for the Malacca polls on Nov 20 and early voting on Nov 16 following the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly on Oct 4 after four state assemblymen withdrew support for the incumbent chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali.

- Bernama