MELAKA: State police have concrete justification to issue a fine to a political party volunteer based on evidence over a restricted political gathering ahead of the state polls, says Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Majid Mohd Ali.

       The Melaka police chief said a compound notice was issued to an organiser of a walkabout on Wednesday (Nov 10) after seven to eight participants gathered at a stall in Kampung Melaka Pindah here.

       He said the decision to issue the compound notice was not solely based on the individual wearing a jacket with a party logo.

       "We have not been selective in our enforcement and have been issuing compound notices to all political parties," he said on Friday (Nov 12).

       DCP Abdul Majid said police had already conducted a briefing on the standard operation procedure (SOP) for all candidates and their representatives concerning such events.

       "There was an element of campaigning when an individual wore a political party logo and gathered in a big group despite the fact that we made it clear that it went against SOP," he said.

       DCP Abdul Majid said the organiser was issued a RM4,000 fine and he could still appeal to the Health Ministry or seek legal redress.

       "The force is apolitical and our job is to enforce the SOP under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988," he added.

       PKR’s Fahmi Fadzil had earlier claimed that the compound notice was allegedly issued to a Pakatan Harapan volunteer for wearing a jacket with the alliance’s logo.