“Once A Positive Example, Now Among The Worst” Says Nat Geo On M’sia’s Fight With Covid-19

National Geographic’s Instagram account has 168 million followers.

Credit: Ian Teh/National Geographic/Instagram

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A recent Instagram post by National Geographic displayed empty Malaysian streets and mall in the once-busy heart of Kuala Lumpur, and caption that caused waves in social media.

Once seen as a positive example for South East Asia in containing the virus, it has become one of the worst affected in the region.
National Geographic, via Ian Teh, on Instagram

The photos and captions were provided by a Malaysian photographer, Ian Teh, who is a Nat Geo contributor.

The post shown to a global audience

The images are stunning, but also evokes a sad emptiness as the country rides through a long and damaging lockdown, shown to Nat Geo’s 168 million Instagram followers.

The attached caption notes that Malaysia was once a leader in the early days, celebrating zero new cases and decreasing active cases daily.

Now, however, there are thousands of new Covid-19 cases every day, with the terrifying rise in cases leading to a full lockdown and temporary closure of businesses.

The caption also mentions the trending #kerajaangagal hashtag, widely used by netizens over the government’s handling of the situation and the country’s battered economy.

Netizens were quick to vent their frustrations and dissatisfaction as well.