KUALA LUMPUR – After being schooled by netizens on Covid-19 standard operating procedures related to home visits during lockdowns, Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa deleted his tweet describing his visit to former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Based on the deleted tweet that was screenshot and shared on social media, Annuar did not make the visit alone as he brought his wife Puan Sri Rosniah Abdul Rahman along.
“Today, we as husband and wife took the opportunity to visit Tun Abdullah Badawi and Tun Jeanne Abdullah at their residence in Bait Badawi, Kuala Lumpur.
“We were there for more than two hours and had lunch prepared by Jeanne.
“May God continue to bless Pak Lah and his family,” Annuar said in a tweet.
Netizens did not take too kindly to the minister’s visit made while the country was still under lockdown with record daily Covid-19 cases.
Some commenters even shared the SOPs issued by the National Security Council prohibiting visits.
However, those comments are no longer available as the minister deleted the tweet.
Nevertheless, some social media users continued to slam the minister by sharing the screenshot, highlighting the alleged double standards with regards to SOP enforcement by authorities.
“Yesterday, cops patrolled my housing area and stopped a resident who was walking to his mom’s house a few doors away to deliver dinner.
“No compound but lots of questions and reminders of rules and SOPs.
“So this guy can’t send food to his mom, but Mr & Mrs Annuar Musa can visit Mr & Mrs Badawi?” asked Twitter user Pamella Lim.
Yesterday, cops patrolled my housing area and stopped a resident who was walking to his mom’s house a few doors away to deliver dinner. No saman but lots of Qs + reminders of rules and SOP. So this guy can’t send food to his mom but Mr & Mrs Annuar Musa can visit Mr & Mrs Badawi? pic.twitter.com/bNjdVAVt3y
— Pamella Lim (@pamellalah) July 10, 2021
“Why didn’t Badawi and Jeanne stop guests from coming?” @peanutkacang tweeted.
kenapa la badawi n jeane tak tolak je tetamu yang datang tu
— peanutsikacangemuk (@peanutkacang) July 10, 2021
Another Facebook user who screenshot the tweet said this is the third time Annuar may have flouted SOPs.
One of the instances referred to happened in February when Annuar was seen sitting at a table with six individuals and no social distancing.
Annuar was also taken to task for lack of compliance when he uploaded a photo in January of himself briskly walking with Kuala Lumpur City Hall director-general Datuk Noordin Abdul Razak and former Kelantan Football Association treasurer Datuk Nik Aminaldin Jaafar, with no masks on.
“Why is Tan Sri Annuar Musa so brave as to post his SOP-flouting in visiting other people’s homes? And he involved Tun Abdullah Badawi. This means it’s been three times that Annuar didn’t comply with SOPs,” Facebook user Nik Fathu said.
Annuar was not the only minister who courted attention today as Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun was also slammed on Twitter for hand-feeding the daughter of disabled musician Fendi Caliph Busker.
The photos of the incident were posted on Twitter by news portal Malaysia Gazette.
“Is it necessary to feed her like that? During this pandemic, just give them aid from the outside,” @mizahapis commented.
"This is clearly a try-hard photo op. During this pandemic, you hand-feed someone. If a stranger did the same to you, you’d be angry right, Rina?” @ShahirahSK said.
The Vibes has made attempts to contact Annuar and Rina for an explanation regarding the matter.
There was no reply from Annuar. However, an aide from Rina’s office said a statement will be issued concerning the issue. – The Vibes, July 10, 2021