KULAI: The campaign manager of the state Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) chief has cried foul over a RM1,000 compound issued to Azrol Rahani after he did a fist bump with a supporter on nomination day.

       Azrol, however, apologised for the trouble caused and promised to settle the compound.

       The candidate for Bukit Permai in the March 12 Johor polls said he received the compound from the Kulai district health office at about 6.30pm last Saturday.

       “According to the Health Department, I failed to maintain physical distance (hand touching), which is an offence under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

       “The hand touch referred to was a fist bump that I gave a supporter outside of the nomination centre,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.

       Azrol said the authorities had received a complaint from the public following a social media post of the gesture.

       “I have given my fullest cooperation to the authorities.

       “I would also like to apologise to the Health Department for the trouble I have caused,” he said, adding that Muda would pay the fine as soon as possible.

       However, his campaign manager Amos Thien said it was unfair for Azrol to receive the compound for just a “normal” fist bump with a supporter.

       He claimed that the offence was not listed in the standard operating procedure.

       “The authorities need to be clear about the SOP. There is no mention of a fist bump being an offence under the SOP that we received.

       “There have been leaders from other parties seen being surrounded by a large group, which is an obvious offence, but they did not receive any compound.

       “This is unfair to us as we have been following the SOP very closely since day one,” he said.

       Thien urged the authorities to be fair to all parties and be transparent when giving out compounds.