By Mariam Mokhtar

Why should Malaysians judiciously stick to the rules and do their bit for the nation to prevent the spread of coronavirus, when hypocritical ministers openly flout social distancing guidelines?

Are Malaysians such a docile and lackadaisical lot, that they do not care when another minister breaks the law? The latest minister to breach the rules is the Economics Minister, Mustapa Mohamad.

Where is the rakyat's anger? Why have we failed to make ministers accountable for their actions? Our failure to strongly condemn this government (and previous ones) is one of the reasons, our ministers continue to flout the laws. Politicians are emboldened to repeat their wrongdoings, and it is our fault that this nation is now in a mess.

More importantly, where is the voice of the Opposition in condemning Mustapa? The Opposition should not let the matter rest, until Mustapa resigns or is sacked by the Prime minister.

It is all the more pertinent, because Mustapa is the latest in a long line of MPs, ministers and senior politicians who have openly flouted the law. Our Opposition is so weak, that even if they had expressed condemnation, they would have failed to make an impact.

The rakyat is sick and tired of sticking to all the rules whilst ministers openly show their hypocrisy by flouting the rules.

We are strict with family members, and force our children to obey the rules because we want the nation to come out of lockdown faster. We want to return to our jobs, help businesses to function and get the economy going. We want children to return to full time education and prepare for their futures. We want society to resume to as near to normal as is possible. We want the old, the disabled, the marginalized and the downtrodden to be properly cared for.

We all do our bit for Malaysia, but do these ministers care? No! They have no desire to obey the rules which they have themselves set for us.

The next time another lockdown or condition is enforced, ministers should not be surprised if Malaysians openly break the law. Why should we care about observing social distancing? We will visit friends, have a party or travel out of state. If politicians can do it, why can't we?

When ministers breach the coronavirus social distancing rules, they think that an apology will suffice to placate an angry public. They are wrong.

Last Saturday, Mustapa, who is the MP for Jeli. visited Alfath Café in Kampung Kulai, and was photographed dining with other people. When the photos went viral and caused a public outrage, Mustapa claimed that he visited the café to "observe how the young restaurateur managed to sustain his business despite the lockdown"

He said, "The young fellow, who is 26-years-old, used social media to market his menu based on Western cuisine." Does Mustapa think we are so stupid that we will fall for his equally idiotic excuse?

Flouting the rules is a very serious matter. Ordinary Malaysians have made great sacrifices during the lockdown. People have lost their homes, their cars, jobs, relationship, savings and some have lost their lives.

Malaysians were unable to attend the funerals of close family members, or comfort their sick and dying relatives.

Some couples were forced to live apart for months. Parents who work away from home, could not meet their children.

People who live alone suffered mental health issues because of the forced isolation.

Weddings, or other special celebrations have had to be postponed or scaled down. Some fathers could not be present at the birth of their first child.

Ministers who apologize only after a public backlash, show their insincerity. Would they have apologized if they had not been caught with their pants around their ankles?

In yet another breach of social distancing, at least two politicians, the MP for Batu Pahat, Mohd Rashid Hasnon, and the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Zuraida Kamaruddin, were photographed taking part in an alleged durian feast on 27 June, but Mohd Rashid, denied that this durian event took place this year.

The rakyat must look at the bigger picture. Flouting the rules, is a serious breach of trust. It is also about broken dignity and a lack of confidence in our MPs.

Ordinary Malaysians who breached social distancing rules have been swiftly dragged to court to face punishment, fined, jailed and humiliated in the press. The same speedy response when ministers breach the rules is not given. Perhaps, members of the rakyat who were punished, should have their fines reimbursed.

Ministers' wages and perks are paid by the taxpayer and that means we have every right to scrutinize their behavior. If they break the laws, their punishments should be more severe than those set for the ordinary public.

We fail to make ministers accountable for their actions. Is it our subservience, or our apathy? Is it our lackadaisical attitude? Are we too tolerant, too accepting and too docile to condemn the transgressions of our ministers?

The behavior of our ministers should be exemplary. If they break the laws, they should resign. If they refuse to go, they should be sacked.

Around the world, politicians who breach social distancing rules have been forced to resign or be sacked. Their citizens decide who stays in power, but in Malaysia, hypocrisy takes precedence.

Mustapa, who is the MP for Jeli, is the latest in a long line of MPs and politicians, who have robbed the Malays of their dignity (jatuh maruah).

Source:

1. Free Malaysia Today: Tok Pa apologizes for eating at a cafe in Kelantan

2. Malay Mail: Tok Pa apologizes for flouting no-dine rule at cafe in Kelantan after photos emerge online

3. Malay Mail: Police in Kota Baru record cafe owner's statement in probe into Mustapa's SOP violation

4. Malaysiakini: Questions remain after Batu Pahat MP says durian feast was 'before MCO'

5. Harian Metro: Benar sektor kredit komuniti beroperasi, elak pinjam along

6. Twitter: Haziq Escobar

(Mariam Mokhtar is a Freelance Writer.)