KUALA LUMPUR – For the public, and netizens in particular, Siti Sarah Raissuddin’s death confirms the grim reality that, not only can the Covid-19 virus hit anywhere at any time, but also anyone.
On Monday, the 36-year-old songstress, who has three children, died after contracting the virus while pregnant. Doctors were, however, able to safely deliver her baby a day before her death.
Her husband, comedian Shuib Sepahtu, confirmed that Siti Sarah had not been vaccinated and expressed regret for belittling the vaccine and not taking the pandemic seriously.
In an Instagram Live video on Monday, Shuib highlighted the harsh realities of the pandemic and urged his 600,000 viewers to immediately get vaccinated.
Netizens on social media heeded Shuib’s call, also urging the public to get their vaccines, refrain from delaying their jabs, and demanding the government vaccinate pregnant mothers who are at risk.
“I wish people would talk about Siti Sarah’s death in a different light, about how this government has failed her and a million others, (and) about the vaccine roll-out,” Twitter user @ariff_azizah said.
I wish people will talk about siti sarah's death in a different light. About how this government has failed her and a million++ other. About vaccine rollout. Not just about her deeds sebab tu urusan dia dengan Allah kot. Idk, just a thought.
— ? (@ariff_azizah) August 10, 2021
“With students yet to receive their vaccines, schools are to open? This government is nonsensical if they want to open schools with a very high infectivity rate in the country.
“I am scared myself after learning what happened to Siti Sarah, she herself was not vaccinated,” @tgsyakirr said.
Harap kerajaan cepatkan lah vaksin kepada ibu-ibu yang pregnant. Mungkin kita tahu arwah Siti Sarah je yang meninggal, tapi ramai lagi yang senasib seperti dia. Covid-19 is real.
— Syakir (@tgsyakirr) August 9, 2021
A doctor, who said on Twitter that she had met Siti Sarah previously, slammed the government over its handling of the pandemic.
“I’ve actually met Siti Sarah once and she really was the sweetest human being to ever walk this earth.
“Prayers to her husband and family, truly very sorry for their loss.”
“Another life robbed due to this ruthless virus and an even more wicked, ungodly government,” @nazranasr tweeted.
I've actually met Siti Sarah once and she really was the most sweetest human being to ever walk this earth. Prayers to her husband and family, truly very sorry for their loss.
— Nazeera Nasir ? (@nzranasr) August 9, 2021
Another life robbed due to this ruthless virus and an even more wicked, ungoldly government. pic.twitter.com/ocQFEUV7sf
Meanwhile, @MahamoodMubarak said instead of expressing condolences over Siti Sarah’s death, Perikatan Nasional politicians should apologise.
“If I see any PN politician expressing condolences to Siti Sarah’s family, your condolences should be an apology.
“PN is responsible for over 10,000 deaths already.
“We could have avoided all these deaths had the government come up with better policies,” @MahamoodMubarak said. – The Vibes, August 11, 2021
