When our ministers go abuzz over Covid-19

Mustafa K. Anuar Mustafa K. Anuar Updated 4 years ago · Published on 31 Mar 2020 8:00PM · 9 Comments

Social media is up in arms over gaffes by two ministers related to the Covid-19 crisis, a lesson that serves to teach those in power to not insult the intelligence of cooped up Malaysians. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, March 31, 2020.

Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

SOCIAL media is abuzz with news about certain antics of a few federal ministers that relate to the marauding Covid-19 virus, resulting in many concerned Malaysians throwing brickbats at them.

In particular, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin drew much public attention and caused an uproar when she was seen nonchalantly donning a personal protective equipment (PPE) suit.

This occurred recently when she was inspecting sanitisation works conducted by her ministry’s personnel at the Al-Falah mosque at Kg Sg Ramal Dalam in Kajang and the Jalan Othman public market in Petaling Jaya.

The public cleansing constitutes part of the sanitisation works that began yesterday at six areas identified as red zones, namely Lembah Pantai, Petaling, Hulu Langat, Seremban, Johor Baru and Kluang.

What also raised an eyebrow is the word “Menteri” (minister) that was even inscribed on the protective cap on her forehead, as if to physically differentiate herself from the rest of the disinfection team – and for the general public to take note of such ministerial distinction.

For many netizens, the bone of contention is the fact that on this occasion, she wore the expensive PPE suit, which is a precious protective gear at a time when some medical workers reportedly had to make do with plastic bin bags as protective covers for themselves because of a shortage of the PPE.

In other words, her wearing of the PPE suit was a sheer waste of a prized item.

Some critics rightly insisted that there wasn’t really a necessity for her to “officiate” something as mundane as sanitising public areas, especially under present circumstances.

Zuraida could very well have given instruction to her disinfecting team via social messaging applications such as Whatsapp or a phone call from home, as prescribed by her own government.

Incidentally, the disinfection operations itself drew criticisms from experts. For instance, former deputy Health director-general Lokman Hakim Sulaiman was baffled that road surfaces were sprayed indiscriminately, instead of focusing on frequent touch-points, such as door knobs and escalator railings, in order to combat the Covid-19 menace.

Not to be outdone, Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa was also seen recently on the ground, face masked nonetheless, inspecting sanitising operations in the area around the Sri Petaling mosque.

Indeed, staying home is an important government directive to adhere to by all Malaysians in an effort to contain the scourge.

However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the homebound should be regarded as a captive audience so that their intelligence can be insulted as a result.

In a move that can be read as the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry’s advice to women, particularly wives and mothers working from home, it tells them to dress appropriately and not to nag their husbands so as to bring about a harmonious home relationship during the MCO period.

Dumbstruck, social media users, particularly feminist groups, predictably took minister Rina Harun to task for emphasising things that were considered nonsensical and sexist.

If we were to go the whole hog, the husbands may want to consider dressing up to the nines, all in the name of family harmony.

The critics rightly pointed out that the ministry should instead pay attention to domestic violence that may erupt at a time when everyone is expected to be homebound and nerves can get frayed easily, especially in crowded flats and households where the question of food on the table pops up regularly.

Furthermore, the responsibility of creating a harmonious environment at home should fall on the shoulders of all in the family, especially parents.

Let us hope that the lethal microbes would not reveal about our ministers any more than we could possibly cope with. – March 31, 2020.

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Comments

  • Look at other countries, we dont need so many workers per site for disinfection work. Best for ministers to work from home and use technology to communicate. This is not election campaign so please dont let the journalist and photographers follow you everywhere.

    Posted 4 years ago by Verity Wu · Reply

  • Look at other countries, we dont need so many workers per site for disinfection work. Best for ministers to work from home and use technology to communicate. This is not election campaign so please dont let the journalist and photographers follow you everywhere.

    Posted 4 years ago by Verity Wu · Reply

  • Those PPE would be of good use by our nurses and doctors, a politician will always be a politician and there are more waiting in line if your seat fell vacant but at this stage we need all the nurses and doctors we have.

    Posted 4 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • The virus cannot differentiate whether you are a Menteri, Ahmad, Ah Chong or Muthu. These nincompoops are trying to score brownie points showcasing their 10 mins of 'fame'. Look what happened to the air suam minister it caused him unnecessary embarrassment, now incognito.

    Posted 4 years ago by Justin Leno · Reply

  • Seriously we cant cope with laughing at these clowns.

    Posted 4 years ago by Clarence Sia · Reply

  • Moron Minister Showing Off Good for Nothing Waste PPE which should be worn only by doctors or nurses dealing with Covid 19 patients. Makcik muka benjol tak payah buat wayang kulit lagi.

    Posted 4 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply

  • And these are the gov ministers who are supposed to save Malaysia? We need to be saved from them.

    Posted 4 years ago by Sameon says... · Reply

  • Leave the proper safety attire to nurse or doctor, monster. They are using plastic to wrap their bodies and work in hospital. U r happily showing your full suit to spray on the road. What virus exposure u r subject to, monster? Good for nothing.

    Posted 4 years ago by James Wong · Reply

  • A backdoor clown minister. Zuraida should be sacked.

    Posted 4 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply