Govt leaders arrogant, act before they think, says Zaid

 

Former minister Zaid Ibrahim says new laws enforced by the government are ‘unclear’.

PETALING JAYA: Former federal minister Zaid Ibrahim has accused the government of being arrogant in the way it has enforced new legislation, especially without any consideration for how it is going to affect the people.

Referring to the amendment to the Emergency (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021, which increases the penalty for any breach of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the movement control order (MCO) from RM1,000 to RM10,000 for individuals, he said it was done haphazardly “without thinking about the details of the offence”.

“Even though the government knows the RM10,000 compound is not appropriate, yet they do not want to repeal it.

“Instead, they are asking those who have been given the compound to appeal to the district health officers on reducing the fine,” Zaid said in a post on his Facebook page today.

He added that it was the same case with the new Emergency Ordinance on fake news.

“When asked if the law could be abused, the communications and multimedia minister could only answer that it was about the law and not politics.

“If the government still has to make these clarifications, that would mean the details of these new laws are not clear. That is what has upset the people,” he said, adding that it showed the government was not prepared.

“Why not ask for feedback from the public before it is enforced. It is all because of their arrogance that they act before they think.”

Zaid also chided the ministers saying they are behaving this way because “they now have money and power”.

Such arrogance, he added, made them think they were above the judiciary as well.

The Covid-19 emergency management committee held a meeting yesterday to discuss in detail the list of offences and maximum fines. According to senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the details regarding the RM10,000 compound will be announced soon.

Meanwhile, those who create, publish or distribute fake news face a fine of up to RM100,000, a jail term of up to three years or both under the emergency ordinance. - FMT