Reporter surprised after being fined for SOP breach

JOHOR BARU: A journalist covering the nomination process for the Johor polls was compounded RM1,000 for allegedly violating standard operating procedure (SOP).

Wong Kian Yong, 42, from Sin Chew Daily, was issued the summons by a Health Ministry officer at the nomination centre for the Larkin seat.

He said he was surprised when he was stopped by the officer.

“I am a bit disappointed because I was not the only one there, there were others but I was the only one compounded.

“I will appeal if it is possible,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

Kelab Media Johor (KMJ) president Mohamad Fauzi Ishak noted that media practitioners were not above the law.

However, he hoped the authorities would be fair in their enforcement on media personnel.

“KMJ will always ensure everyone follows the SOP even after the state election is over,” he said, adding that since January, only five KMJ members had tested positive.

MCA spokesman Mike Chong Yew Chuan said compound notices should not have been issued as the reporter was only doing his job.

“The reporter did not do anything seriously bad and merely approached a Johor election candidate to ask for his details.

“After that incident, many have also expressed their concerns to me as the compound notice is a burden and should not have been issued,” he said in a statement.

He urged the relevant authorities to come up with clear SOP guidelines to avoid a repeat of the incident in future.