BATU PAHAT: The election campaign has barely passed the midway mark and four candidates have already been quarantined after testing positive for Covid-19.

       Despite not being able to campaign in person, the four contenders – one from Barisan Nasional, two from PKR and one DAP – are reaching out to voters online.

       Using alternative routes: (From left) Ter, Naim, Chiong and Yeo, who are feeling under the weather, are going online to woo the voters.

       Barisan candidate for the Penggaram state seat Ter Hwa Kwong, who tested positive on Friday, said he had stopped canvassing for votes in person but instead relied on social media.

       “I am taking all the necessary precautions as I do not want to take any chances,” said Ter, 51, adding that he was constantly in contact with his team.

       Ter, who has mild hypertension, said he would opt for simple but nutritious food to help him recover during the mandatory seven-day quarantine.

       PKR candidate for Gambir, Naim Jusri, who tested positive on nomination day on Feb 26, said he had been making at least 50 to 60 calls daily to voters in his constituency.

       He said that he had been collecting the telephone numbers of voters since GE14.

       “We have about 29,434 voters in Gambir and I hope my team and I can call up at last half of that.We want to urge them to vote on March 12,” he said.

       “I have also been making five to six short videos to send out my message and aspiration for this place,” he said, adding that the videos were distributed via social media.

       Naim, 38, said he quarantined himself in a homestay to keep his family safe at home, adding that he was happy to be out today.

       PKR candidate for Bukit Batu, Arthur Chiong Sern Sen, who is in quarantine after contracting the virus on Feb 27, said he has been making live videos on social media.

       “I’ve also recorded some videos to explain my election manifesto,” he said, adding that he had been making calls to his constituents as well.

       As for his Covid-19 diagnosis, he said he had been asymptomatic so far.

       “I’m taking Vitamin C and supplements daily to help with the recovery,” he said.

       Chiong, 32, was also upbeat about being out of quarantine in a few days time, saying that it would be a busy week ahead for all candidates.

       Pekan Nanas’ DAP candidate Yeo Tung Siong said he had cancelled his public events including a Facebook Live on Friday as he felt unwell.

       “I will now be using social media to reach out to the voters,” he said, adding that he would continue to produce short videos to be sent out regularly.