KULAI: The Election Commission (EC) should reconsider its standard operating procedure (SOP) for the upcoming Johor election as it is not practical, says National Recovery Council chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       “It is still quite strict as ceramah can only be held at one place such as the operations room, so it is not as if everyone in Johor can go there.

       “It is not practical when social gatherings, wedding receptions are allowed. What is the difference then?

       “If one single constituency has 30,000 voters, how are we to get in touch with them, especially for new candidates?” he said.

       Muhyiddin said the SOP might have been relaxed a little, but he felt this was still inadequate as the 14-day campaigning period was not long.

       The EC has allowed ceramah, physical campaigning and house-to-house visits throughout the campaigning period.

       However, ceramah and events can only be held at party offices and official operations rooms, with participation limited to 100 people, and a police permit is required.

       These activities will also be limited to two hours and cannot go beyond 10pm.

       Ceramah and campaigning events in open or public premises, and any form of entertainment, are also not allowed.

       Meanwhile, Muhyiddin, who is Perikatan Nasional chairman, said the coalition would have a mix of young and experienced candidates for the state polls.

       Perikatan is expected to reveal all 56 of its candidates today.

       The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president said seat allocation among its Perikatan allies, PAS and Gerakan, was completed.

       “We will have a good mix of young and experienced individuals, including women, as Perikatan candidates in the Johor election.

       “Many of our candidates have professional backgrounds such as law and medicine,” he told the press after a gathering with Felda Taib Andak settlers here yesterday.

       The former prime minister, who is not defending his Gambir seat, added that fielding professionals showed Perikatan’s readiness to form the government in Johor.

       Muhyiddin also said Malaysian United Democratic Alliance’s (Muda) decision to contest in the state election should be respected.

       “Muda does not have a proper structure, and the party is very young, but Syed Saddiq is brave to have several of his candidates contesting, and we should let the people decide,” he said, referring to Muda president Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman.