Journalist fined for breaching SOPs outside Larkin nomination centre

 

Journalist Wong Kian Yong said he was trying to get details of those seeking nomination when he was served the compound notice.

JOHOR BAHRU: A journalist from a Chinese daily here was fined RM1,000 today for breaching the SOPs during his coverage of the Larkin state seat nominations.

Wong Kian Yong was issued a compound by a health ministry official who accused him of failing to observe physical distancing outside the Dewan Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) here.

According to the compound notice, the offence took place at 9am at the nomination centre.

“I was only getting near the candidates to get their names, pictures and contact information.

“I did not think that what I did was wrong. I don’t understand why I am the only one issued a compound when there are other journalists also doing the same thing,” he said.

Meanwhile, another journalist from news portal Malaysia Gazette, Khairulanuar Yahaya, was only given a warning by health ministry officials.

Five candidates representing Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (PN), PKR, Pejuang, and Muda as well as an independent candidate were seen entering Dewan JKR to submit their nomination papers this morning.

The Election Commission (EC) will announce the list of candidates for Larkin after nominations close. - FMT