Johor police chief M Kumar said 38 officers and personnel are on standby to respond to any flooding that may occur during the campaign period or during polling on Sept 28.

He said police assets such as boats and lorries have been stationed at the Kluang police headquarters.

“Currently, according to the Special Branch, there are no political hotspots in the Mahkota constituency.

“But the police will be on standby in areas identified as potential flood hotspots,” he said after nominations for the by-election at Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Ismail today.

He said Johor police will deploy 772 officers and personnel during the campaign period.

“We will ensure it will be a smooth democratic process.

“We want to issue a stern warning to all against touching on issues related to religion, race and royalty (3Rs) during campaigning, as well as compliance with the law,” he said.

The Mahkota by-election will see a straight fight between Barisan Nasional candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, 40, who is Kluang Umno Youth chief, and Perikatan Nasional’s Haizan Jaafar, 61, a former state footballer.