KOTA KINABALU – Politicians should have more empathy for the public who are struggling during the Covid-19 pandemic, instead of travelling overseas and taking holidays.
Former foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said such actions are stoking anger among the people.
“Those politicians or leaders who travel for holidays because they can are sending out negative messages to the people who are suffering the consequences of this pandemic.
“Just because you can, it doesn’t mean you should (travel). Have some empathy for the people who are losing lives, jobs and even food on the table. When the people are suffering, is it right for you to flaunt your wealth and happiness?” the Parti Cinta Sabah president said.
Stopping short of mentioning anyone by name, Anifah’s statement follows the recent controversy stirred by Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, who is now in France, supposedly to enrol his son in a school there.
The Umno leader’s wife has also been courting controversy on Instagram, posting photos of the former minister with quotes defending their actions.
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali was also criticised after a tour guide said he and his family had joined a tour of Turkey during the minister’s official visit. The post was later changed to omit the reference to the family, before being deleted altogether.
Anifah, who is also a former Kimanis MP, criticised politicians from both sides of the divide who are squabbling instead of focusing on helping the rakyat.
“Regardless of political belief, all politicians, especially elected ones and those who hold office, should focus on the people.
“If the government cannot handle the situation, then it must consider other options,” he said.
Anifah said that the public is angry about the double standards for politicians and VIPs when it comes to Covid-19 standard operating procedures.
“Keeping the public under continuous lockdown was also not the answer, and neither was giving cash handouts or food aid indefinitely as the government, too, has a limited budget, which is also affected by the pandemic.”
He also said that to achieve herd immunity, while it is important to vaccinate the majority of the population, the government should also focus on the logistics to ensure as many people as possible are vaccinated.
This is especially so for rural folk who, compared to those in urban areas, are unable to drive to vaccination centres for their jabs, he added.
“I know that there are efforts, such as outreach programmes, to bring vaccines to rural folk. This should be done continually and government agencies should work together to ensure that rural folk are also vaccinated.” – The Vibes, July 14, 2021
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