MELAKA: Political parties can submit appeals to the Melaka Health Department if they are unhappy with the compound notices issued to them for violating the standard operating procedure related to the Melaka election, says state police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Majid Mohd Ali.

       He said the force would carry out its responsibility in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within Infected Local Areas) (National Recovery Plan) 2021.

       “Political parties can either appeal to the health authorities or seek legal redress if they feel that the compound notices issued were unfair,” he said in an interview yesterday.

       He reminded the public that gatherings and rallies related to the election were not permitted, adding that the police would remain apolitical in the enforcement of the law.

       He said his men would execute their duties in accordance with the Health Ministry’s ban on any election-related activities, gatherings or social gatherings until Nov 27.DCP Abdul Majid was responding to a statement by PKR information chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin that his party’s election team was slapped with a RM10,000 compound for an attempt to hold a “mobile” political ceramah at Paya Rumput here on Saturday.

       During an online press conference yesterday, Shamsul Iskandar, who is Hang Tuah Jaya MP, said no crowd had gathered at the ceramah and speakers were using loudspeakers from a lorry which was turned into a makeshift stage.

       “This ceramah concept is not considered a social event as there was no large gathering that poses a risk of triggering a new Covid-19 cluster,” he said, adding that those who listened to the ceramah were at home, either following the speeches via live stream or from the porches of their homes.

       To this, DCP Abdul Majid maintained that the policemen at the scene had grounds to issue the compound notice.

       “PKR can appeal against the compound notice to the relevant authorities,” he added.