The system gives Malaysians a right to be angry

 

Do Malaysians have a right to have that feeling – angry, frustrated and helpless? Do we have to remain silent as unsavoury, distasteful and absurd happenings unfold before us? Do we go back to the old days and say “the government knows best”?

Let’s for a moment forget the Sheraton Move, the backdoor government and the proclamation of emergency – on second attempt. We can afford to ignore the rantings of a convicted ex-prime minister which could be dismissed as ramblings of a convicted felon trying to remain relevant.

Ever since the movement control order (MCO) was introduced on March 18, we have been bombarded the same message – comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of the Covid-19. The majority of us have complied with that order – wear a face mask and practising social distancing.

Right-thinking Malaysians understand that necessity to break the chain and even as the infection figures have hit past the 3,000 mark over the past few days, we have followed the dictum – don’t leave home unless it is important.

But is there one rule for politicians and VIPs and another for lesser mortals like us? Are there exemptions in the law providing immunity to the former group of people?

If not, how do they breach the order with impunity?

Last week, some 2,000 people – on motorcycles and in cars – descended on Putrajaya, hitherto a rather quiet neighbourhood except for government offices to collect the free chicken being handed out by the Putrajaya Umno Youth.

Despite the large crowd, nothing happened. Was taking the risk worth the Brownie points that would be scored? Yes, a paltry penalty of a slap on the wrist – a fine of RM1,000 was definitely worth the effort.

Not faraway in Sepang, another politician pulled off yet another stunt – offering free hair-cuts to students in that area. But Bersatu Sepang chief Suhaimi Ghazali was tested positive after a week of that publicity-seeking gesture.

What did Suhaimi has to say after the lapse and his idiotic actions?

“I apologise for any inconvenience to the community and close contact. I pray that all my medical treatment will go smoothly and that I recover soon” Newsway quoted him as saying in his now-defunct Facebook post. All about himself. No remorse, nothing – zilch.

Also infected was Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun who attended the same function but to date, there has been no information on the recipients of the trim.

Over the weekend, International Trade and Industry Minister Azmin Ali travelled to Pengerang, Johor, for a flood relief mission. No, he was not wading in flooded waters helping the evacuation, but was photographed seated with others at a table with packed food and water. This drew criticism on the need to follow SOPs.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin visited the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) 2.0 Integrated Hospital and spent some time meeting with patients recuperating there.

A picture showing dozens of patients converging on the glass window to wave at him prompted Twitter user, Amirul Ruslan, to quip: “Amazing. Muhyiddin released the perfect photo to sum up Malaysia in 2021: pretend empathy and VIP treatment for the pemerintah, and hopelessly packed like sardines looking for the slightest bit of help for everyone else.”

To date, 15 elected representatives and senators have been tested positive. They include five ministers and deputy ministers. Are they beyond reproach?

An exasperated Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah could only couch his concerns and muster a feeble attempt to stall the march of errant VIPs. Malaysiakini quoted him as saying: “I would like to remind myself and the people regardless of pangkat (position), ethnicity and other (categories) to follow SOPs.”

But away from the pandemic, politics and gaffes, something which happened in Sarawak would make you more angry.  A 16-year-old girl was raped by a male detainee, of all places while being held at the Miri police station lock-up.

What has aggravated the situation is the admission by the authorities that the CCTV in the lock-up area was not functioning. But, more importantly, the incident raises the issues of segregating detainees. Were the provisions of the Lockup Rules 1953 complied with?

For a moment, forget all those issues. Now, even a parody comes with a warning.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has warned on posters using the hashtag #SiBodohKauDengarSini (Listen here, idiot).

"The poster which has spread on social media contained fake offences which were made up covering the aspects of punishment and the act which will be used on those who violate the warning. The MCMC will proceed with necessary action to curb the spread of false information," it said in a statement today.

In the days of being confined to our homes, and at a time when one minister is tripping over another with slip-ups, blunders and goofs, can’t the citizens even be entertained by wit, fun, even if it is at the expense of the establishment?

That should give reason for your blood to boil!

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R NADESWARAN joins other Malaysians in feeling infuriated over actions and inactions of certain government leaders. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com. - Mkini

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.