WHAT was feared would occur with holding state elections smack in the middle of a pandemic, the spread of that pandemic because of it, has occurred.

The extent of the damage cannot even fully be estimated yet but already understandably irked Malaysians are calling for heads to roll.

Why wouldn’t they be upset? While the director-general of health goes on his by-now-routine evening presser, calling for Malaysians to observe the SOP and mind social distancing, our leaders flaunt the rules, resulting in several new and arguably completely avoidable clusters being the rude offspring of such impertinence.

Apart from a few fines here and there, it would also seem previous high-profile transgressions were also largely unpunished.

Still, we see some ministers strut around in public sans masks or protection.

On Monday, a minister was confirmed to have Covid-19 and the rest of the cabinet have been asked to undergo swab tests.

Another Sabah cabinet member single-handedly caused a school to shut down and 600 pupils, teachers and family members have to undergo self-quarantine and nasal swabs.

On the other hand, ordinary Malaysians found to have disobeyed SOP have been subjected to strict penalties.

We often read about pubs and social hangouts in town seem to have been checked constantly and related SOP strictly enforced.

This is, of course, a welcome move. An SOP is meant to protect us and non-adherence exposes many to unnecessary risk.

But are we being selective in enforcement?

For example, how many of the 12,000 infections are traced back to nightspots?

At the early days of the virus, it was reported that Korea and Japan experienced resurgence of the pandemic because of partygoers and bar hoppers.

The Malaysian clubbing scene, however, is far tamer and more localised.

Here, however, the risks could be different.

Malaysians, for example, have a habit of window shopping and hanging out at late-night eateries.

Our malls and schools have both proven to record cases more frequently.

Shouldn’t the stricter enforcement be imposed there as well?

Or are there other reasons that pubs and bars are selected?

These are more than rhetorical questions. With the cases climbing to new record highs, the latest at 691, we should really be wondering if our steps are adequate.

Granted, mySejahtera, temperature screenings and limiting the number of people per location have worked in the past, but a combination of relaxed enforcement and a creeping lackadaisical attitude by both individuals and premises owners, have helped drive these numbers up.

We may also need to tweak these. For example, with a majority of new cases reported as non-symptomatic or with mild symptoms, are mere temperature screenings still an effective way to identify potential cases?

While the numbers in Sabah have been attributed to politics, the reality is, our own checks and balances have failed us.

Had they sufficed, the clusters would have been localised and not allowed to spread across to the peninsula.

The clusters in Kedah were caused by this and it has since spread to every state.

The “trigger” for alarm appears to been set so low now, we don’t seem motivated to rush into action even at more than double the digits that provoked the first movement-control order.

Some 40 active cases, previously the threshold for studying a lockdown, do not even warrant mention in the daily briefings.

Yes, there is a need to balance lives and livelihoods but a stronger message, one of leadership and resolve needs to be (re) sent.

There appears to be more than an anecdotal of a community spread, outside the active clusters.

Perhaps another round of community screening is needed, perhaps tighter controls need to be reinstated, at least in the interim.

We need a leadership that is strong, that sets the right tone in handling this pandemic. Perhaps more importantly, one that practises the narrative they preach. – October 7, 2020.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.