FORMER prime minister Najib Razak has criticised International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali’s trip to Istanbul, Turkey, after a photo of the Bersatu politician at the Hagia Sophia was posted on Instagram.

The Pekan lawmaker insinuated that it must have been nice for Azmin to visit Turkey while Malaysia is under lockdown and large parts of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur under the enhanced movement-control order (EMCO) to curb the spread of Covid-19.

“I didn’t get to visit Hagia Sophia. Min, isn’t this place beautiful.

“Share the pictures you took with us since we can’t visit it for ourselves. At least we will be happy looking at your pictures,” Najib said on Facebook.

The photo of Azmin was posted by Turkey Local Guides, a tour operator, showing the minister with a guide outside the Hagia Sophia.

The post had been edited twice since it was uploaded today and then finally deleted tonight.

In the initial caption to the picture, the post read “It was a pleasure to guide for Mr Muhammed Azmin Ali (Senior Minister of Malaysia) and his family. He was willing and patient to listen to the historical stories of Hagia Sophia.”

After the first edit, the mention of Azmin’s family was removed.

In the second edit, an apology was made for sharing “wrong information” and to add that the visit “was (an) official delegation from MITI”, and that it was “part of the program organised by the Turkish Government.”

The post has now been deleted but social media users are sharing screenshots of the edited versions that were captured.

Azmin has incurred the wrath of Malaysians over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. His ministry is in charge of allowing economic sectors deemed essential to operate during the lockdown and in EMCO areas.

It has, however, emerged that shopping malls such as Isetan, Sogo and even luxury brand Louis Vuitton were allowed to open during the lockdown.

On Turkey Local Guides’ Facebook page, angry Malaysians asked Turkey to “keep” Azmin there as he was not welcome back in Malaysia.

Amirul Hassan wrote, “Dear sir, please take him forever. We Malaysians are ok with that.”

Others lambasted the Gombak lawmaker for “gallivanting” in Turkey while regular Malaysians have been stuck at home for more than a year with their livelihoods affected.

“Turkey is a beautiful country. But most Malaysians are stuck at home for months on end… with some having lost their jobs and livelihood, the health sector is strained to the brink of collapse, while the Senior Minister is having a time of his life galavanting in Turkey.

“I sincerely pray that the Senior Minister doesn’t return to Malaysia. You can have him. Malaysians do not want nor need him,” Uda Salleh wrote on Facebook.

On Twitter, @anxiephia wrote that she has never hated someone as much as she hated Azmin.

Another Twitter user @TiraSahar said,“Sir @AzminAli we have thousands of families suffering here in Malaysia yet you still have the audacity to visit Turkey with your family Astagfirullah.”

Azmin was on an official visit to Europe last week and had visited Austria where he met with Austria’s Digital and Economic Affairs Minister Margarete Schramböck and visited a semiconductor firm in Loeben.

When the Austrian minister posted a picture of her and Azmin, Malaysians similarly told her to “keep him in Austria”.

Travel in and out of Malaysia is still not possible as the borders are closed. Exceptions are made for those moving for work, studies, business meetings, emergencies or to accompany students moving for studies.

Those arriving in Malaysia are required to quarantine for 14 days at a government facility.

Ministers like Azmin have, however, been able to travel overseas on “official visits”. Most recently, Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz was criticised for travelling to France to enrol his son in school.– July 12, 2021.