‘Quit complaining, and get creative’
Following an announcement by the Health Ministry on Sunday, social media platforms and party WhatsApp groups were flooded with accusations saying its minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, was sabotaging the Nov 20 election.
(NST) – THE Health Ministry’s decision to enforce strict standard operating procedures (SOP) for the Melaka state election has courted criticisms from political parties, but analysts believe they should stop complaining and start being creative instead.
Following an announcement by the Health Ministry on Sunday, social media platforms and party WhatsApp groups were flooded with accusations saying its minister, Khairy Jamaluddin, was sabotaging the Nov 20 election.
Yesterday, PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution alleged the ministry was stopping other political parties from having a level-playing field during the 12-day campaigning period from Nov 8 to 20.
Umno grassroots leaders and members, through social media postings and WhatsApp groups accused Khairy of sabotaging the BN machinery and called for the decision to be rescinded.
Melaka Pas commissioner Datuk Kamarudin Sidek called on the ministry to allow some relaxation for parties to campaign, saying it would be difficult for senior citizens who are not tech-savvy to keep up with social media campaigns.
Dr Jeniri Amir, a senior fellow of the National Professors Council Professor, said Khairy could not have made the decision unilaterally without the approval and support of the cabinet.
“Does Khairy have veto power and can bypass the prime minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) and the cabinet? The answer is no because a big policy such as this must come from the administration itself.
“I see this as a convenient way to find someone to blame for others’ frustrations because it is baseless to say a minister, who is also a politician, is sabotaging an election. He wants Umno to win too, since that is his party.
“So far, 120 countries, including nine in Asia, have conducted elections where they concluded strict SOP was required to provide guarantee and confidence for voters to vote during the pandemic,” he told the New Straits Times.
His view was echoed by Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani, who said political parties, instead of complaining, could come up with new campaigning methods.
Azizuddin said although he preferred the old way of campaigning, where voters get to meet candidates and other party leaders on the ground, the Covid-19 pandemic was far from over and the public’s safety must be prioritised.
Although many Malaysians had been inoculated, Azizuddin said the vaccination process was ongoing, proving that infections could happen.
“Like what happened during last year’s Sabah election, there is no guarantee the public will follow SOP unless there’s strict enforcement.
“This was why when the Melaka assembly was dissolved, the majority of Melaka residents got angry and demanded strict enforcement during the election.
“Khairy is stuck in the middle and he must prioritise the people instead of political parties as his position as the health minister demands he make decisions that protect the public, not his party,” he said.
Jeniri said political parties should come up with hybrid campaigning plans consisting of traditional and modern methods to cater to voters of different ages.
“Senior citizens will benefit from flyers sent to their houses, where they can take their time to read the content, while young people will head to social media platforms for information.
“Maximise these methods instead of complaining or accusing the Health Ministry and Khairy of sabotage.
“What would Khairy gain from sabotaging his party anway?”
Azizuddin said this would be the perfect time for politicians to go old school and use “vintage” campaigning methods.
“First, flyers are effective because the public can take their time reading the material. These flyers can also be pasted all over the state, like what they did back in the day.
“Second, parties can take out their pick-up trucks and loudhailers. Go around Melaka and disseminate information from inside a vehicle.
“They can also hold ceramah from trucks or vans. So let’s go old school and be flexible.
“If you want to win, you have to be creative because, like it or not, we are living in a new normal and so is the rest of the world.”
