Strict SOPs pose big challenge to new candidates, says Mas Ermieyati

 

MALACCA POLLS | Perikatan Nasional's candidate for Tanjung Bidara, Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, has raised concern over the impact of strict Covid-19 SOPs for the Malacca state election, saying that it might hurt the chances of those who are contesting for the first time.

Mas Ermieyati, who is also Masjid Tanah MP, said that those who are not already popular might find it harder to make themselves known to voters during the campaign period, which begins today, as the Election Commission had prohibited candidates from meeting voters directly.

According to a copy of the SOPs shared by Mas Ermieyati , political parties and their candidates are not allowed to do any physical ceramah session, walkabouts, and house-to-house visits.

These three forms of campaigning had been the usual practice and considered a must-have in every election before the Covid-19 pandemic hits Malaysia last year.

The EC allows candidates to go from house to house but only to place pamphlets at post boxes.

The activity can only be done in a small group of three, and they are not allowed to engage in conversation with the public.

"I believe this would be a big challenge for new candidates because they would have to work harder to make the voters know who they are.

"And it gives advantage to names who are already known in the political arena," she said during a press conference at Tanjung Bidara PN election centre earlier today.

Health Ministry officers monitoring the situation at the nomination centre in Tanjung Bidara

Mas Ermieyati (above), who is Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law), also joked about a part of the SOP, which allows campaign to be done by using loudspeaker that is attached to a vehicle.

The vehicle used, however, cannot stop anywhere and must keep moving.

"This means that the more traffic light there is at a place, the better," she said humorously.

Other conditions set by EC are that every candidate must get tested for Covid-19 every two days, and each party can only have one election operations centre for each constituency.

Mas Ermieyati said she will also focus more on utilising social media platforms to deliver her message to the people of Tanjung Bidara.

From left: Zainal Hassan, Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and Ab Rauf Yusoh

Meanwhile, when asked about her chances of winning the seat as she is facing another political big gun - Malacca Umno chief Rauf Md Yusoh - the deputy minister said she will leave it to Tanjung Bidara voters to evaluate her performance during her terms as Masjid Tanah MP.

"Many say that this area is a BN stronghold. But in a competition, everyone has a chance.

"I'm not speaking about here alone, but in all 28 constituencies in Malacca.

"And we must use our resources and wisdom, and most importantly, it is up to the voters to evaluate my track record as an MP and how they see my service to them all this while, and what do they want when they vote," she said.

Mas Ermieyati is in her second term as Masjid Tanah MP. However, she won the seat both times in 2013 and 2018 when she was still with Umno, before defecting to Bersatu. - Mkini