KUALA LUMPUR: After PKR was fined RM10,000 for holding a mobile ceramah in Melaka, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PH-Port Dickson) has alleged that the authorities were practicing “double standards” in their enforcement.

       He has since called for clarity in the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the state election.

       While political gatherings were banned, he claimed leaders from the ruling coalition were openly having walkabouts in Melaka and these gatherings were even posted on social media.

       “What state elections are this if campaigns aren’t allowed? I was told that the Prime Minister has assured me that he will explain more about the SOPs," said Anwar during his speech while debating Budget 2022 in Parliament on Monday (Nov 1).

       Anwar was responding to Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PH-Kulim Bandar Baharu) and Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin (PH-Hang Tuah Jaya), when they raised the issue of fines meted out during political campaigns for the Melaka state election.

       On Oct 30, PKR was fined RM10,000 after it attempted to hold a crowd-less mobile ceramah in Paya Rumput, Melaka, where its leaders had planned to deliver speeches from a makeshift stage on a lorry parked in the middle of a residential area in Taman Krubong Jaya.

       Shamsul Iskandar said it was nonsensical that Pakatan Harapan was given the RM10,000 fine for holding the mobile ceramah.

       “No one attended the ceramah and yet we were still fined. How are we supposed to go to the polls if we cannot campaign?

       “Even the launch of our operations room by the Opposition leader on Sunday (Oct 31) night was held virtually because we want to observe the SOP," he added.

       Saifuddin pointed out the inconsistencies in the SOP, as Melaka is already in Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan and the National Security Council (NSC) has stated that social activities, dine-ins and government events are allowed.

       “If the Prime Minister goes to Kota Laksamana for asam pedas (dish), he is allowed to do so by the NSC, but SOP by the Election Commission says no.

       “This is double standards. Shamsul did a mobile ceramah and he was given a RM10,000 fine while government leaders proudly flaunted their visits on Facebook, and they weren’t fined.”

       Saifuddin said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob must make an announcement soon to clear the confusion regarding the matter.

       Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said political gatherings and events will not be allowed throughout the Melaka state election period beginning Oct 25 until Nov 27.

       Aside from PKR, the yet-to-be registered Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) was also given a RM4,000 fine for holding a press conference on Oct 27, while Barisan Nasional was also fined RM10,000 for launching its election machinery in World Trade Centre on Oct 27.

       Nominations for the upcoming Melaka state election will be on Nov 8, while polling has been set for Nov 20.