KUCHING: Political ceramahs will now be allowed to be held during the 22 day campaign period of the 12th Sarawak Election at constituencies with poor internet coverage.
This is among the minor changes made to the standard operating procedures (SOP) which will be enforced in the campaign period which begins after nomination tomorrow.
The Election Commission (EC) listed 64 constituencies in Sarawak with poor 4G coverage.
Among the state constituencies are Tanjong Datu, Muara Tuang, Stakan, Gedong, Lingga, Balai Ringin, Batang Ai, Kuala Rajang, Pakan, Ngemah, Dalat, Machan, Balingian, Pelagus, Bukit Goram, Baleh, Belaga, Murum, Lambir, Marudi, Telang Usan, Mulu, Ba'Kelalan and Bukit Sari.
"Throughout the campaign period for the election, the organising of ceramahs physically is not allowed except at state constituencies without good internet coverage," said the Covid-19 prevention SOP document on the implementation of the 12th Sarawak state election.
The organiser of the ceramah, the SOP said, must obtain a permit which states the date, time and location of the political event from the police.
The SOP said ceramah's will only be limited to two hours for each session and it would be only allowed to take place before 10 pm.
"Organisers, coordinators, candidates contesting in the election and speakers must undergo RTK Antigen self-test before the ceramah commences.
"The test must be carried out at the operation centre and the result of the test must be recorded in MySejahtera or logbook.
"Only people who have completed vaccination would be allowed to attend the ceramah. This is also applicable to organisers, coordinators, speakers and participants of the event," read the document.
Organisers must also prepare a health screening counter at the venue of the ceramah's to check among others the temperature and vaccination status of participants of the event.
"All those attending the ceramah must scan the MySejahtera QR code or record their details such as their name, phone number, time and body temperature in a logbook," he said.
Another protocol of the SOP states that only 50 per cent of the full capacity of the venue or a maximum of 150 people are allowed to attend a ceramah at any one time.
"Participants attending the ceramah should also be limited to the villagers at that particular village or longhouse residents (where the event is being held).
"Parties and candidates contesting in the election must ensure that there are no villagers from outside of the village (where the ceramah is being held) attending the event," adding that organisers must also ensure the SOP on physical distancing is adhered to during the ceramah.