* Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

SINGERS, actors, fashion designers and other such celebrities are by design seekers of public attention.

It’s understandable that they should bask in the spotlight and public adulation as this does not only bring fame but also fortune and even influence. It’s a symbiotic relationship.

The stars are idolised by their fans who are inspired by what they say and do. In other words, people look to them for inspiration and to set an example.

Which is why songstress Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin’s recent actions have been the subject of contentious debate among her fans and the public.

While she’s entitled to hold a tahnik, an Islamic ceremony to celebrate the birth of her second child, the 42-year-old celebrity should have been more circumspect about who she invited for the occasion.

It was reported that de facto Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Mohamad was among those invited. He reportedly had to cross state borders to get to Siti’s residence, which is clearly a breach of the Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP).

That Siti had invited people from out of state to the event had disappointed and angered some people, and  rightly so.

Of course, those people, particularly a government official who is known to have broken the SOP before, should have known better than to accept an invitation to an event that involved crossing state lines.

Under the SOP, interstate travel is disallowed, except for emergency and work purposes.

This occurred at a time when the number of infections has spiked, and consequently Muslims may face the possibility of not being able to cross state borders to celebrate the forthcoming Raya. It hasn’t been the usual family balik kampung ever since the vicious pandemic struck the land.

People’s frustration, if not anger, is well encapsulated in Unchained Aidilfitri, the Malay rendition of the evergreen Unchained Melody, which mocked the double standards in the enforcement of the SOP and which went viral on social media.

Similarly, celebrity hijab purveyor Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor, husband and family members were found guilty of violating the SOP during her wedding ceremony and collectively compounded for a sum of RM60,000.

Incidentally, the RM60,000 compound that Neelofa paid infuriated social media users because it is no comparison to the RM50,000 compound that was slapped on a burger seller in Kelantan for opening beyond the stipulated hour of 10pm. Both obviously come from two contrasting social backgrounds.

To breach the SOP that is supposed to be applied equally to all mortals, can be read as the celebrities concerned abusing their fame and privileges they possess.

They are instead expected to set a good example to their followers by adhering closely to procedures and directives set by the government. They are not to follow the footsteps of other VIPs who have blatantly flouted rules that are meant to combat the Covid-19 virus.

Celebrities are in a position to craft a different narrative that would be useful to the Malaysian public who increasingly crave for effective role models in our society. – May 4, 2021.