About a week ago, Minister of Defence, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein received immense backlash for attending an event that violated the SOPs. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob had defended him, stating that his flouting of the SOPs was not a crime.
You would think that he would consider Datuk Seri Hishammuddin’s incident as a lesson on not to attend crowded events, right? Wrong.
Malaysians are once again angry after Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob was spotted in the middle of a huge crowd at an event in Johor, as shared by Malaysia Gazette.
He was at the Sekitar Program Usahawan & Koperasi Keluarga Malaysia event at Dewan Serbaguna MBIP, Taman Nusantara, Gelang Patah, Johor, where the crowd can be seen.
Many have since questioned that if the Malaysian leaders are not following the SOPs, then why are the SOPs there and why should the people have to adhere to it?
“The Covid-19 SOPs from KKM are no longer relevant, the highest authorities don’t even follow the SOPs implemented! Better to abolish the SOPs and live as usual.”
“If this is the case then just lift all the Covid-19 SOPs.”
Honorary Research Associate with the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia (UoNARI-M), Bridget Welsh also took to her Twitter page to point out that these leader’s actions can slow down our economic recovery.
As Malaysia's Covid case numbers sharply rise to record levels, its PM and leaders in Johor set a poor example with their lack of social distancing. This pattern of 'crowd' electioneering can spread/extend Omicron, endangering vulnerable and slow economic recovery. https://t.co/AcpJUQyqWy
— Bridget Welsh (@dririshsea) February 19, 2022
It is truly disappointing to see how our leaders are openly flouting the SOPs without much concern on how it will effect the people.
Perhaps Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin will order his officers to fine the Prime Minister too?
Stay tuned for more updates.
Also read: M’sians Displeased at PM For Defending Hishammuddin’s SOP Violation & Telling Him Not To Resign
