SOCIAL media users are slamming Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin over his recent remarks that Putrajaya does not practise double standards for politicians who flout health SOP, with many pointing out that his ministers were among those breaking rules aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19.

Many laid out their displeasure with the hashtag #MuhyiddinOUT, which began trending barely hours after the prime minister’s televised speech on the country’s Covid-19 pandemic situation yesterday.

In his speech, Muhyiddin had warned citizens to remain calm and adhere to SOP as the country reels from a spike in Covid-19 cases.

“I would like to stress that there are no double standards in the issue of self-quarantine; even I quarantined,” he said.

“My apologies if this Abah starts using a cane,” Muhyiddin said.

Muhyiddin picked up the “Abah” moniker months ago from social media users who compared the prime minister’s efforts to curb the Covid-19 virus to a father taking care of the nation.

As for yesterday’s speech, many expressed their dismay at Muhyiddin for cracking jokes about using a cane the same day it was reported the pandemic had claimed its first infant fatality in Malaysia.

Social media users also criticised the lack of disciplinary action towards minister Khairuddin Aman Razali, who had failed to observe the mandatory 14-day quarantine after returning from a “semi-official trip” to Turkey and attended Parliament just days later.

Since the Sabah election ended on September 26, a number of politicians have tested positive for Covid-19, a development referred to by many online as #KlusterMenteri. 

“The special address ain’t special, (was) condescending and just cringey. To make it worse, a baby just lost her life to the virus. People are worried, families are afraid, the country is not in its best. All u can do is make a joke. No! #MuhyiddinOut,” tweeted @ulyahusamudin.

“Muhyiddin is gaslighting us. This is just evil. A baby just died and many more infected because of your people lacking in obeying SOP and now we’re the ones that should be disciplined? #KlusterMenteri #MuhyiddinOut,” @terrydiehieden tweeted.

Another Twitter user said instead of playing the blame game, solutions needed to be found.

“Watched the PM’s announcement. Even a Form 5 student can make a better announcement than him. We need solutions, not blaming. Main issue, avoided,” said Twitter user @yickhan.

“It has been 8 months since Covid19 came to Malaysia and all we get from our PM today is ‘abah rotan nanti’. mind u, a one year old baby died today in sabah. the death could have been avoided if there is no double standard and changes in SOPs to suit themselves. #MuhyiddinOut,” @neur__ tweeted.

“That minister is still not fired. Let’s get some fresher ideas and sounder mind helping this country. #MuhyiddinOut  #AbahResign,” @YickHan said.

“Sivagangga nasi kandar man was fined RM12k and jailed 5 months for breaking home quarantine. Khairuddin arrogantly showed up in Parliament while he was supposed to be quarantined and was fined a token RM1k. No double standard he explained. #MuhyiddinOut,” said @michelelehhh.

“You have lost the plot!! Your own meetings broke SOP with some not wearing masks. Your appointed ministers ignored the law that the ordinary Malaysians were punished for. Time for you to step aside #MuhyiddinOut,” said Twitter user Harcharan Singh.

“Say NO to a 3(i)s prime minister. Imprudent, Irresponsible, Incompetent. #MuhyiddinOut,” said Karmun Loh.

The #MuhyiddinOUT hashtag has been used in more than 30,000 tweets as at press time.

However, #MuhyiddinOUT is not the only hashtag being used by social media users to show their dissatisfaction with the prime minister.

Other hashtags, such as #NotMyPM, #BukanAbahSaya, #Muhyiddout and #MuhyiddinIsOut were also trending on Twitter.

A total of 691 new Covid-19 infections were reported yesterday, along with four deaths. – October 7, 2020.