Umno sec-gen Ahmad Maslan slams SOPs for Melaka polls

Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan today spoke out against the SOPs for the Melaka state election next month, saying they are difficult to accept.

The Umno secretary-general also said that the hyper-contagious Delta variant had been made an excuse for the implementation of these SOPs although, according to him, infections due to the strain rarely occur among vaccinated individuals.

“The SOPs for Melaka are unacceptable,” he said when debating the emergency ordinances in the Dewan Rakyat.

“I myself, although I am a member who supports the government, cannot accept them.”

He was referring to the recent statement by Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin that no election-related activities, gatherings or social events, including the launch of election machinery, are allowed from today onwards.

Khairy said the decision was made under Act 342.

He also said the health ministry was upset that many political events before the campaign period began did not adhere to SOPs.

Ahmad today said that the definition of election-related activities was too wide.

“We want to have an election, but we aren’t allowed to hold any activities related to elections,” he added.

He urged the government to reconsider the SOPs to allow several matters including small gatherings for ceramahs and house-to-house visits.

Kota Raja MP Mohamad Sabu and Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had earlier stated their opposition to the Melaka SOPs as well.

The state polls will be held on Nov 20, with campaigning to run for 12 days from Nov 8.