PM Attends Crowded Event In Johor And Netizens Are Fuming
Some questioned the wisdom of holding such an event when cases are skyrocketing.
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Several Ministers, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob were criticised for attending an event in Johor after videos of the ceremony went viral online.
According to a tweet by Malaysia Gazette, the Prime Minister was in Iskandar Puteri at the Malaysian Entrepreneur and Family Cooperative Program.
Also present during the event were the Menteri Besar of Johor, Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives (MEDAC) Minister Tan Seri Noh Omar, and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob tiba di Program Usahawan dan Koperasi Keluarga Malaysia di Iskandar Puteri petang ini. Turut hadir,Menteri Besar Johor,Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, Tan Seri Noh Omar Dan Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.#malaysiagazette pic.twitter.com/Gxb55d2fOh
— Malaysia Gazette (@MalaysiaGazette) February 18, 2022
Based on a Facebook post by MEDAC, the event happened on 18 February at the MBIP Multipurpose Hall.
The event happened a few days after several politicians attended a different ceremony and were slapped with fines from the Health Ministry for SOP breaches.
READ MORE: Politicians, Key Figures Slapped With Compounds For Breaching SOP In Johor
Netizens not happy with big crowds
Malaysians who saw the video were not particularly happy seeing the Prime Minister mingling in a crowd of people, especially during a time when Covid-19 cases have exceeded 20,000.
KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital Consultant Pediatrician Datuk Dr. Musa Mohd Nordin criticised the event, citing Sabah as an example.
PRN Sabah was a super spreader
— Dr Musa Mohd Nordin (@drmusanordin) February 20, 2022
COVID went crazy in 2020 October
🇲🇾 had highest cases & death numbers
It was like cold blooded murder
Ni Johor pulak nak election
Dah 29K & climbing kes Omicron
Ripping 🇲🇾 like a demon
Haven’t we learnt our lesson?pic.twitter.com/1v5BAiZUTl
Honorary Research Associate with the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia (UoNARI-M) Dr Bridget Welsh also criticised the government for not setting a good example, saying that events like these enable the spread of Omicron.
As Malaysia's Covid case numbers sharply rise to record levels, its PM and leaders in Johor set a poor example with their lack of social distancing. This pattern of 'crowd' electioneering can spread/extend Omicron, endangering vulnerable and slow economic recovery. https://t.co/AcpJUQyqWy
— Bridget Welsh (@dririshsea) February 19, 2022
Meanwhile, one netizen mentioned that such an event was possible when cases are in the tens of thousands because Ministers were in attendance.
Cases are at 15-20k daily and they’ve the audacity to do this like it’s so obvious there was no SOP at all. See how the table changed if this is just a normal people’s gathering without any minister. Within minutes they’ll be summoned by the police 😀 https://t.co/jOO6HP3iUo
— jeonghan|wafy (@svtjeonghanbaby) February 19, 2022
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