If boots were meant for walking, then SOPs were put in place to be followed.
Now that the date for the Johor Election has been set to 12 March, a number of politicians have been campaigning non-stop in the state and sometimes, without any regard to the SOPs set by the government.
The most recent case of this was when the Minister of Defence, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein attended an event in the state.
The minister was at the launching ceremony of the MIC Johor Brigade in EduCity Kota Iskandar, Johor along with Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad and MIC President Tan Sri Vigneswaran Sanasee, on 13 February.
Their entrance into the venue was recorded and it showed a huge crowd of people standing at a shoulder-to-shoulder level without any concern for social distancing.
Upon seeing this, the Minister of Health, Khairy Jamaluddin announced that he has ordered his officers to issue out compounds towards the main leaders and organisers of the event.
“I have ordered MOH’s officers to issue out compounds to DS Hishammuddin, DS Hasni, TS Vigneswaran, main leaders who were present and organisers under Act 342.”
“MOH will continue to monitor the SOPs in light of the Johor Elections,” he stated.
Saya telah mengarahkan pegawai @KKMPutrajaya untuk keluarkan kompaun kepada DS Hishammuddin, DS Hasni, TS Vigneswaran, pemimpin utama yang hadir & penganjur di bawah Akta 342. @KKMPutrajaya akan terus pantau SOP sempena PRN Johor. https://t.co/ULngJMCZKS
— Khairy Jamaluddin ??? (@Khairykj) February 13, 2022
In response to Khairy’s tweet, Hishammuddin revealed that he was there as a guest. However, he admitted that there were weaknesses in the compliance of the SOPs at the event.
“What’s wrong is still wrong. No one is above the law, including me. This should be a lesson for us all.”
In his response video, he said that they are currently facing difficulties in controlling the crowd during such political events.
Saya hadir sebagai tetamu dan saya terima, memang ada kelemahan dalam pematuhan SOP tadi. Tapi, salah tetap salah.
No one is above the law, including myself. This should be a lesson for us all. https://t.co/ditVwQ5cqT pic.twitter.com/qXKXXSJKgZ
— Hishammuddin Hussein ?? (@HishammuddinH2O) February 13, 2022
We hope that there will be no clusters emerging from this incident.
Do you think that such political events should still be allowed during these times? Let us know in the comments.
Also read: “Politicians are being pigs” – Barisan Nasional Event In Johor Condemned For Ignoring SOPs