JOHOR BARU: In light of the spike in Covid-19 cases, Barisan Nasional is looking at the experience it gained during Melaka and Sarawak elections as a guide to managing their campaign in Johor polls.

       Johor Barisan information chief Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba (pic) said that they would be following closely when the Election Commission (EC) announces the standard operating procedures (SOP) for the state elections.

       "The majority of the people in the state have already been inoculated and the government has also started to give vaccines to children.

       "I am sure that once the EC and the authorities announce the SOPs for the Johor polls, it will help protect voters.

       "However, we will be looking at the experience that we had during the Melaka and Sarawak elections on how to campaign with SOPs in place," he added.

       Dr Adham, who was also the Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, said this at a gathering with media practitioners here on Sunday (Feb 6).

       He also said that Barisan was looking at fully utilising electronic and digital media platforms during the campaign period especially for new candidates if the SOP did not allow for face to face campaigning.

       The EC would meet on Wednesday (Feb 9) to set the dates for nominations and polling for the Johor elections.

       On an unrelated matter, Dr Adham said that Barisan was finalising their manifesto for the state polls, which had five key objectives.

       "The manifesto that Barisan will be offering would lead to a strong and stable state government, led by our choice of Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.

       "Everyone of all ages, especially the younger generation, will benefit from it," he said declining to reveal the five objectives in Barisan’s manifesto.

       Barisan contested in the recent Melaka election but not the Sarawak election.