MOH tracks down Muda candidate based on Instagram complaint

 

JOHOR POLLS | Muda today revealed that the Health Ministry had tracked down its Bukit Permai candidate Azrol Rahani to slap him with an RM1,000 fine after receiving a complaint based on an Instagram video showing him giving a fist bump.

"The district health authorities received a complaint from social media based on an Instagram story," he told a press conference in Bukit Permai today.

Azrol said the video showed him giving a fist bump to a supporter outside the Bukit Permai nomination centre in the morning and by evening, health authorities had tracked him down to slap him with the compound.

Azrol apologised to the Health Ministry for the move.

"I apologise for causing trouble to the Health Ministry because they had to find me to issue the compound," he said.

The compound, under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, stated that Azrol had failed to abide by social distancing rules with the fist bump.

However, Azrol's campaign manager Amos Thien emphasised that the video showed their candidate immediately stood apart after the fist bump and maintained social distance.

"They came out of their way to find our candidate, asking where he was as they wanted to meet with him," he said.

Muda’s Bukit Permai candidate’s campaign manager Amos Thien

Thien also shared pictures of BN leaders giving fist bumps and even hugging but they didn't face action.

Are fist bumps banned?

Muda information chief Luqman Long said his party was not trying to point fingers at health authorities but wanted clarity.

Luqman said he had gone through the standard operating procedures (SOP) for the Johor polls, but there was nothing about a ban on fist bumps.

"So the problem with the compound is that the offence was not stated in the SOPs," he added.

Luqman stressed that Muda had abided strictly with the SOPs, including having their lawyer brief candidates and campaigners on the dos and don'ts.

"We hope that the surveillance will be done in a fair and just manner, not only for Muda but also other parties," he said.

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that health authorities had summoned Azrol for questioning over the fist bump. - Mkini