Melaka Polls Not A Platform For Provocation - Ab Rauf

ALOR GAJAH, July 1 (Bernama) -- The 16th Melaka State Election should not be turned into a platform for provocation that could disrupt public order, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said the democratic process must be conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner, stressing that while the people are free to support different parties and hold differing views and political choices, security, public well-being and state stability should always remain the top priority.

“Elections are a space for democracy, not a platform for provocation. We may have different parties, views and choices, but when it comes to the security, the people’s well-being and the state stability, our principles must be clear, there is no political interest greater than peace in the state,” he said at the closing ceremony of the Latih Amal Ex-Undi Per PRN Ke-16 Negeri Melaka (Simulasi Ketenteraman Awam) programme at Dewan Datuk Kapt (B) Haji Ab Karim here last night.

Also present were Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department deputy director (General Policing/Disaster Crisis) DCP Datuk M.V Srikumar and Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar.

Ab Rauf said the simulation exercise was more than just a demonstration, reflecting that the state government and security forces are always ready and will not compromise on any threats to the state’s peace.

He therefore expressed his appreciation to the Melaka Police Contingent for proposing the exercise, which he said was the first of its kind in the state.

Meanwhile, Dzulkhairi said that apart from the police, all parties involved were fully prepared to face the Melaka state election, which is expected to be held this September.

He said the two-day simulation demonstrated that the entire state security machinery was well prepared for various situations throughout the election process, including escort of ballot boxes, riot control, managing provocation, fire incidents and crowd dispersal, in accordance with the set procedures.

“We anticipated some elements of provocation from the public, but intelligence gathering indicates that Melaka remains peaceful and under control. Although we do not anticipate riots, we are still making initial preparations.

“All weaknesses identified during this exercise will be addressed and standard operating procedures refined ahead of the election to ensure the highest level of preparedness,” he said.

Dzulkhairi said the large-scale simulation involved a total of 395 officers, personnel and representatives from various agencies, including the National Security Council, the Election Commission, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Civil Defence Force and the Health Ministry.

The 16th Melaka State Election will see 685,455 registered voters casting their ballots at 264 polling centres, involving 1,198 voting streams throughout the state.

To ensure the smooth running of the voting process, Melaka police will deploy over 3,300 officers and members, backed by a Public Order Riot Unit (PORU), a Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) troop, as well as the activation of four operations rooms at the contingent and district levels.

--BERNAMA