She tweeted the picture and asked the question: “Campaigning already?”
The electronic billboard in the picture is located at the Pudu Sentral overhead pedestrian bridge along Jalan Pudu.
Checks with Marina confirmed the picture was her own.
The picture clearly shows the Barisan Nasional logo and words as well as the 1Malaysia logo.
Checks with former Election Commission (EC) chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman indicated that the advertising of a party or coalition’s name would fall under the jurisdiction of local city council (City Hall) regulations related to issuing permits for billboards.
He said this sort of advertising does not constitute campaigning.
“All billboards are controlled by local government authorities. If it’s under KL, it would be under City Hall. So, there is nothing that can be done if it is already approved.
“This sort of advertising is not considered early campaigning,” he told FMT.
“It looks like early preparation for the general election. I do not think this constitutes an offence unless they have not obtained City Hall’s licence.
“It would not be a problem for them (BN). If it was the opposition, it will not be able to put up the advertising as it would not be allowed.”
There is nothing in the law to prevent the usage of banners and flags before elections, Rashid added.
“There is nothing in the law to prevent this except during an election when the Election Act 1958 comes into play.
“Outside election time, City Hall or the local council should issue permits for this (advertising).”