JOHOR BARU: The Johor election nomination process at four nomination centres within the Johor Baru South police district area went on smoothly without any hiccups.

       Johor Baru South Deputy OCPD Supt Lim Jit Huey said a total of 365 personnel were deployed to the nomination centres for the Puteri Wangsa, Larkin, Perling, and Stulang state seats, which are within its jurisdiction, since 6am on Saturday (Feb 26).

       The police units sent out include patrol vehicles, the traffic department and Cantas Squads.

       “They were involved in putting up barbed wires and manning various entry and exit points to ensure the people’s safety and compliance of standard operating procedure (SOP) at the nomination centres.

       “Things went well and I urge all candidates, supporters, voters and those on duty during the state election to keep in mind the SOP at all times,” he told media members at the Dewan Raya Taman Pelangi Indah nomination centre here on Saturday (Feb 26).

       Regarding the incident where a Chinese daily reporter received a compound notice from the Health Ministry for flouting the SOP while covering the Larkin state seat nominations at Dewan JKR Johor Baru, Supt Lim believes it was due to physical distancing issues.

       Meanwhile, Kelab Media Johor (KMJ) Mohamad Fauzi Ishak said that even media practitioners are not above the law when it comes to adhering to the SOPs that have been imposed by the government.

       “I am aware of the case but at the same time, KMJ would like to appeal to the Election Commission (EC) and the authorities to give leeway to media personnel who are covering the election process.

       "KMJ will always ensure that each personnel will practise the new norm and SOP even after the state election is over," he said, adding that since January, only five KMJ members have tested positive.

       Fauzi also hopes that the authorities will be fair in their judgement in enforcing the law on each member of the media personnel that are on duty.

       Earlier, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) was reported making last-minute changes to its Endau state seat candidate after their initial candidate tested positive for Covid-19.

       In a statement, party information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamudin said its initial candidate Zaini Tahar had tested positive on Thursday (Feb 24), and that he could not make it to the candidacy announcement event in Muar.

       "Therefore, the top party leadership has decided to change our candidate for the Endau state seat to Mohd Noorhisyam Ibrahim," said Ulya Aqamah on Friday (Feb 25).