MUAR: The move to issue RM1,000 compound to a journalist for allegedly flouting the Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) is a form of intimidation against the media covering the Johor state election, a politician said.
PKR Larkin candidate Dr Zamil Najwah Arbain pointed out that the authority should have instead provided the media with a safe space to carry out their duty under reasonable SOP.
"The media's role is to enhance coverage and sharing of information to the public on the state polls. I was shocked by the RM1,000 compound imposed on one of the media personnel during the nomination session just now.
"There were other members of the media communicating with the candidates, albeit without gatherings, but only a Chinese-daily media officer was issued a compound.
"In my opinion, this is part of the intimidation (strategy) imposed on the media whose role is to maximise access to information and coverage to the people on the state election," he said in a statement today.
Earlier today, a Johor-based journalist from Sin Chew Daily was fined RM1,000 for breaching the SOP during his coverage of the Larkin state seat nomination process.
Wong Kian Yong, 42, was issued a compound under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act 1988 (Act 342) by a Health Ministry official who claimed that he failed to observe physical distancing outside the Dewan Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) here, where nomination process for the Larkin state seat took place.
Wong expressed shock and disappointment as he was the only one slapped with the compound although there were other reporters present to obtain information from the candidates.
Another reporter Khairulanuar Yahaya Malaysia Gazatte, 47, who was present at the scene was only issued a warning for the same violation.
It is common for media personnel to gain access into the nomination centres as long as they obtain the media pass from the Election Commission (EC).
The media are permitted to obtain information from the candidates at the nomination centres during the Covid-19 pandemic under strict SOP compliance.
Following the rise in Covid-19 cases, the EC has imposed stringent SOP at all 56 nomination centres statewide. Only the candidates, their proposers and seconders were allowed into the centres.
Dubbed as one of Johor's hot seats, Larkin is seeing a six-cornered fight involving first-time candidates from the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda), Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (PN), PKR, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang), and an independent candidate.
Independent candidate Norramadan Buan will go against Dr Zamil, Rasid Abu Bakar from Muda, Mohd Hairi Mad Shah (BN), Zulkifli Bujang (PN) and Mohamad Riadz Mohamad Hashim (Pejuang).