Syed Saddiq Decries Double Standards After Rm4k Compound Over Presser

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Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has decried double standards after his party was slapped with a RM4,000 fine.
The compound was for holding a brief press conference at the Stadthuys in Malacca City earlier today regarding the upcoming state election, which allegedly violates a state-wide ban on election-related gatherings.
He said there were only five people present at the press conference, which was held in an “open air” area while maintaining social distancing. The press conference lasted about 10 minutes.
“Yet we were still slapped with a compound.
“Perikatan Nasional and Umno hold events with hundreds of people present in closed halls, without mask nor social distancing. Yet they were not issued compounds. Ridiculous,” he said on Twitter today.
He also shared photos apparently showing an Umno event in Malacca that was held on Oct 23, where Pekan MP Najib Abdul Razak was present.
The collage of 12 photos showed a lack of social distancing among the audience and their seats. Twelve people were also highlighted in the photo for not wearing masks or failing to wear it properly.
The photos appear to have originated from the activist Fahmi Reza, based on a video of the event that was circulated online.

Malacca is currently under the fourth and final phase of the National Recovery Plan. According to the prevailing SOPs issued by the National Security Council, face masks must be worn properly when in public places.

Public and private official functions can be held in Phase 4 states, but are subject to the venue’s capacity and social distancing requirements.
Fearing a repeat of the Covid-19 outbreak that followed last year’s Sabah state election, however, the Health Ministry has controversially banned all physical gatherings and social events related to the upcoming election. The ban is in force from Oct 25 to Nov 27.
The Malacca snap polls are fixed for Nov 20, with Nov 8 being the nomination day. - Mkini

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