The Malaysian Insight

ALLOW Malacca chief minister candidates to debate on official radio and television channels, said opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

His comment comes after Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa said the government is mulling allowing candidates to campaign on official channels given the new norm.

“I welcome this suggestion for the government to provide equal footing for all election candidates to campaign in Malacca, including Pakatan Harapan (PH),” he said in a statement today.

“Therefore, I suggest that an open debate be held between chief minister candidates from PH, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional.”

The Malacca polls will start on November 20, but the strict Covid-19 standard operating procedures set has made reaching out to voters a monumental task.

The Election Commission (EC) had previously said the only form of physical campaigning allowed is speeches via speakers from moving vehicles at fixed times and with a police permit.

All physical gatherings are banned. This means that there can be no ceramah, door-to-door campaigns nor walkabouts.

Candidates and their parties are allowed to open only one operations centre per seat.

Those who violate the rules will be subject to the Elections Offences Act 1954.

BN deputy chairman Mohamad Hassan, when launching the coalition manifesto yesterday, had complained about the rules and overzealous enforcement.

“The EC and Health Ministry must give deep thought to this matter. They cannot be overzealous. Our grassroots members, especially women, are traumatised as their names are taken down when trying to carry out their work as party members.

“We cannot put up flags (or) give out flyers. I understand that the no-ceramah (rule) is to stop the spread of Covid-19, but why can we not meet people at wet markets, carry out house visits or do walkabouts?

“Give political parties some room. Allowing two people to conduct house-to-house visits is already enough.”

Anwar said allowing debates on radio or television will propel Malaysia’s name as a country with a mature democracy.

DAP political education director Liew Chin Tong, too, agrees that allowing opposition candidates to use official channels will allow for a fair election.

“Better late than never. I welcome Annuar Musa’s offer. The campaign ban by the government has made campaigning difficult for everyone, hence it is only fair that the government allows access to official media,” he said in a Facebook post today.

This is no different from the recent cabotage debate between DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong, he added.

“Adly Zahari can represent PH to debate with other coalitions’ chief ministerial aspirants. Debates among candidates from key constituencies should also be organised.”

On Monday, the PH Communications, Digital and Multimedia Committee had requested that each party be given at least 30 minutes to speak on TV1, TV2 and Bernama TV every night, and 60 minutes on Melaka FM and Bernama Radio daily. – November 11, 2021.