KUCHING: For veteran politician Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, this state election has been the “most difficult and challenging” due to the Covid-19 standard operating procedure in place during campaigning.

       The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) election director, who contested in the rural seat of Bukit Saban, said although the SOP was stricter in urban areas, it was also restrictive in rural areas.

       He cited rules such as ceramahs being allowed only at designated places with restrictions on crowd capacity and time allowance.

       “We were also not allowed to shake hands with voters, which in the past could cost us votes for being deemed arrogant or proud,” he said after voting at the Rumah Mendit Unsu longhouse in Spaoh, in the Betong division, yesterday.

       Uggah was previously the seven-term Betong MP before entering state politics in 2016.

       On the use of social media platforms to campaign, he said his team found it hard due to limited Internet coverage.

       “It is only in places with good connection that this option is a blessing,” he added.

       The SOP issued by the Election Commission banned physical campaigning in 16 of the 82 seats which were deemed to have adequate Internet connectivity for online campaigning.

       In the remaining 64 seats, ceramah could only be attended by 150 people at most or 50% of the premises’ capacity and must not exceed two hours or go beyond 10pm.