By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Dec 5: Ceramah (talks), public speeches, and physical campaigns are not allowed during the 12th Sarawak Election (PRN12), said the Election Commission (EC).
This restriction, however, is an exception for 64 constituencies (see table below) that have weak internet coverage, and online campaigning cannot be implemented.
For any physical campaigns, organisers must first obtain permits from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).
Talk (‘ceramah’) sessions are limited to only two hours each and are prohibited after 10pm.
In terms of venues, the sessions have to be held in enclosed spaces such as community halls or ‘ruai’ in longhouses to control the attendance of participants.
Speeches at open and public spaces and any campaigning in the form of entertainment are banned altogether.
Food-wise, EC said in a statement today, only packed foods are allowed.
In the 64 constituencies, campaign organisers, secretaries, contesting candidates, and speakers must be fully vaccinated with their primary vaccine series. In addition, they are required to perform RTK Ag self-tests before delivering talks or speeches.
Tests should be done in the Operations Room. Results must be recorded either digitally in MySejahtera or manually in a book.
Participants must also be fully vaccinated with their primary vaccine series. At the same time, attendance at any campaign event is limited to only 50 per cent of the capacity of premises or the maximum of 150 individuals at any one time.
Meanwhile, campaign organisers are responsible for ensuring that attendees are only limited to the village or longhouse residents. Outsiders of the area of the campaign are prohibited from joining.
Other Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) such as wearing face masks, social distancing, temperature check and registration at any campaign premises must be strictly complied with as well.
The 12-day campaigning period will start on Dec 6 after the nomination process until 11.59pm on Dec 17. — DayakDaily
