Total ban on Melaka campaigning unlawful, unnecessary with right SOPs, lawyer argues

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — The Health Ministry’s blanket ban on events related to the Melaka state election was against the law and the government should have instead allowed any activities where physical distancing is possible, a lawyer has insisted.

Lawyer New Sin Yew, who is also co-chair of the Bar Council’s Human Rights Committee, argued that the total ban on any election gatherings during the campaign period would be contrary to the legal rights given to Malaysians under the Federal Constitution and the Election Offences Act.

New noted that the Melaka state election on November 20 is the first since the Sabah state election last year, which he said triggered waves of Covid-19 infections nationwide, with the Melaka election campaign period to be from November 8 until November 19.

Ahead of the Melaka state election, the Health Ministry (MoH) on October 24 announced that “any activity, gathering or social events related to the election is not allowed, including the organising of election machinery launches” from October 25 to November 27, with the aim of reducing the spread of Covid-19 infections and to avoid drastic rise in cases. The extended prohibition period covers both before, during and after the campaign for the Melaka state polls.

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