In view of how the Federal Government allows for the 15th Johor State Election to proceed despite the latest wave of Covid-19 instigated by the Omicron variant, the Barisan Nasional-led government must stop politicising the virus for their own selfish electoral benefit. Instead, the government must allow for less restrictions during the campaigning period, including allowing for ceramahs to be held.

In a statement last Friday (11 February 2022), DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng stressed that the government can’t have it both ways by allowing the Johor State Elections to proceed and yet impose enhanced SOPs and banning public rallies. Guan Eng, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bagan asserted,

“If the government decides that the latest Omicron wave is a real and present danger, then the Johor state elections should be postponed and enhanced COVID-19 SOPs imposed. The government cannot have it both ways, by allowing the Johor state elections to proceed and yet impose enhanced SOPs and banning ceramahs,”

“Restricting campaigning and banning ceramahs will allow the ruling parties an unfair advantage by possessing sole media and physical access to voters.“

Furthermore, the Bagan MP that allowing for more lenient SOPs is in line with what is practices in Western countries due in part to the low deaths inflicted by the Omicron variant. Hence, it is clear that Ismail Sabri’s government is politicising the Covid-19 pandemic for selfish interests. Guan Eng further stressed,

“The flip-flops, policy U-turns and indecisiveness will only add on to the utter confusion and uncertainty that will harm investor confidence and public credibility of the government’s efforts.”

The DAP Secretary-General further reiterated the call in a statement today while commenting on the appalling action by Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein who broke Covid-19 SOPs when he himself is the chair of the Covid-19 Quartet Ministers’ Meeting entrusted to urge public compliance with managing and announcing SOPs.

In the statement today, Guan Eng also called upon Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to avoid the perception of double-standards when BN or PN are allowed to hold such events breaching SOPs compliance undisturbed compared to opposition parties or other commercial or private functions. Hence, the SOPs should be reviewed in view of the Johor State Election to allow for a level-playing field. – The Rocket.