Dap Is Ceramah Capacity 2 000 For Pn But 100 For Others

---

 


The Election Commission has been accused of double standards for limiting political ceramah to the official campaigning period and party facilities while Perikatan Nasional's campaign is already well underway.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng pointed out that PN held a rally and claimed that 2,000 people were in attendance in Kota Tinggi, Johor last night.
According to EC's rules published last night, ceramah events will be limited to just 100 people at party facilities when campaigning officially starts on Feb 26.
"It does not make sense and defies logic that a 2,000 people event held in open air by PN is permitted before nomination day, but opposition parties cannot do the same during the campaign period after nomination day.
"Is the EC listening to professional advice in forbidding talks in open or public areas despite expert opinion on open areas having a lower risk of Covid-19 transmission compared to indoor spaces, due to better ventilation?
"The EC should not be listening to 'political advice' but be independent and maintain strict neutrality to avoid being seen as favouring the ruling BN and PN parties and against the opposition parties," he said.
Lim proposed that the Johor election campaign should allow for open-air ceramah with standard rules such as mask mandates, entry for fully vaccinated individuals only, and physical distancing.
PN rally in Kota Tinggi last night"With the government considering reopening international borders, these restrictions on talks and campaigning are incongruous and out of place that is better suited to the Covid-19 situation two years ago," he said.
PN's rally last night was attended by coalition leaders who packed a covered field. Photographs of the event showed that top coalition leaders flouted physical distancing rules under the tent.
PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin conceded during the event that he contracted Covid-19 last week but had fully recovered.
A week ago, the Health Ministry issued RM1,000 fines each against Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, incumbent Johor Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad and MIC president S Vigneswaran for flouting Covid-19 protocols at another rally. - Mkini

---