KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin is being lambasted by Malaysians after she flagged off a bicycle fun ride – an activity on the National Security Council’s (NSC) “negative list”.
In a Facebook post yesterday, the housing and local government minister said she launched Program Malaysia Prihatin Norma Baharu Berekreasi at the family recreational zone of the Bukit Kiara Federal Park here.
She said the programme is among the government’s efforts to disseminate information to the public on managing the Covid-19 pandemic and new norms.
“As a ministry that is also responsible for public parks, the new norm when it comes to recreation is very important, and visitors are urged to abide by the SOPs at all times.”
The post was accompanied by several photos, one of which shows dozens of cyclists being flagged off by Zuraida at the starting line, with the majority not wearing a mask.
Facebook users pointed out that the activity is still prohibited under NSC’s SOPs for states observing the conditional movement control order (CMCO).
According to the SOPs, which were updated last Wednesday, any activity involving the movement or gathering of large crowds, including fun runs, fun rides, marathons and triathlons, is not allowed.
Kuala Lumpur is under the CMCO until this coming Thursday.
“If a summons is issued at RM10,000 per head, it would be nice. Really double standards,” said Facebook user Matt Von Nahall.
Ryan Rashid said: “Where’s the SOP? It’s okay, (she’s) a minister.”
M.K. Amri posted the hashtags #pdrm, #sprm and #ismailsabri, ostensibly to alert the authorities of a breach of government SOPs.
“How many people aren’t wearing masks here, why are police closing their eyes? A lot of compounds can be issued here,” said Ashraff Nazrin.
It is not the first time Perikatan Nasional ministers have been panned on social media for not adhering to health and safety rules imposed to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa are among those to have received brickbats for breaching the SOPs and being let off lightly by the authorities. – The Vibes, March 14, 2021
