SIBU: The police will not treat political parties contesting in the coming 12th Sarawak state polls differently when it comes to the tight standard operating procedures (SOP), says state Police Commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail (pic).

       He said that the police will not hesitate to take stern action against any candidate from any party that violates the SOP.

       "We will be fair to all parties. We will not treat any party differently as we will take action against those who go against the SOP," he said at a handing-over ceremony on Thursday (Nov 11) to mark the retirement of outgoing Sibu OCPD ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit.

       "The SOP that will be issued by the Election Commission (EC) is to ensure that Covid-19 will not spread during the election. This SOP might make the work of the force easier in monitoring the election. But we hope

       people and the candidates will adhere to it," added Aidi.

       He said that although the EC has not come out with the SOP yet, he anticipates that it will not be different from the one for the ongoing Melaka state election.

       To a question on election hotspot areas, he said that these areas did not exist in Sarawak and added that precautions will be taken to defuse quarrels between supporters of different parties.