PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional's recent election machinery launch at the World Trade Centre (WTC) in Kuala Lumpur was held in adherence with Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) but the RM10,000 compound will be paid, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (pic).

       The Umno secretary-general explained that the election machinery launch was supposed to have taken place in Melaka, but it was moved to the WTC as the Health Ministry had advised against organising mass gatherings in the state.

       On Oct 24, the Health Ministry had issued a ban on political gatherings in Melaka from Oct 25 to Nov 27.

       "Therefore, the machinery launch event was moved to the WTC on Oct 27," said Zambry in a statement on Thursday (Oct 28).

       At the same time, Zambry said WTC was chosen because Kuala Lumpur has entered Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan that allows mass gatherings with a 50% crowd limit in public halls.

       "For your information, invitations for the launch at both the Tun Hussein and Tun Ismail halls in WTC were distributed after taking into account that SOP on capacity.

       Zambry then said movements outside of its venue in WTC were beyond Barisan's control.

       "Nevertheless, as a party that holds on to the rule of law, Barisan will pay the compound notices," said Zambry.

       On Wednesday (Oct 27), the yet-to-be-registered Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) was given a RM4,000 fine for holding a press conference in Melaka.

       Muda has since criticised the alleged "double standards" in enforcement, as they were given a RM4,000 fine for holding a press conference with five individuals compared to Barisan's election machinery launch on Wednesday that saw the attendance of hundreds of supporters.

       Muda had said they will pay the RM4,000 fine, as challenging the compound notices would cause more time and money that the fledgling party does not have.

       Nominations for the Melaka state election have been set at Nov 8 while polling is on Nov 20.