INSTEAD of responding to queries and concerns of the rakyat over the vaccination roll-out, has this government decided to choose fear and intimidation to quell criticism?
Is the arrest on Friday night of a netizen, whose only crime was tweeting about the alleged RM70 million spent to develop the MySejahtera system for the national vaccination exercise, an indication of a more authoritarian administration that is teetering on the brink?
This is a valid question, as resorting to the emergency ordinance to arrest the 36-year-old salesman seems to be a last resort for a government that is finding it increasingly hard to explain its handling of the pandemic and vaccine roll-out.
What is the need for the heavy-handedness in raiding the home of the netizen, who goes by the handle @ChairmanGLC, and seizing his handphone and router?
National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme coordinating minister Khairy Jamaluddin has already explained that the website does not cost RM70 million to set up.
He was reported as saying the sum includes the MySejahtera app, monitoring system, daily reporting system dashboard, integration system to connect MySejahtera with the Health Ministry’s database, genomic surveillance system, immunisation surveillance, integration of the digital passport in MySejahtera, vaccine logistics system, call centre, and the short messaging service (SMS) system.
Khairy has been responsive to all criticisms. He has also personally reached out to newsmen to respond to and clarify certain reports and assumptions.
The Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force he heads has also admitted to mistakes and shortcomings over vaccine supply.
Similarly, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has always been responsive to queries from newsmen and netizens.
With such avenues to address misinformation, and members of the administration who are actually willing to address queries and perceptions, is there still a reason to invoke the anti-fake news emergency ordinance against Malaysians seeking questions? Malaysians who are justly pushed to the edge by an increasingly worrying management of the pandemic? Malaysians who are suffering from an all-but-paralysed economy, and terrified of the increasing infections and deaths?
The people just want a transparent and accountable government – especially of one that is not elected and had seized power by cunning, guile and political one-upmanship.
The fact that Parliament is not in session exacerbates this environment, where there is a lack of information and coordination from our leaders.
Soal RM70 juta dan aplikasi MySejahtera patut dijawab di Parlimen. Rakyat berhak tahu maklumat sebenar apatah lagi bila ada khabar angin tentang ketirisan.
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) June 5, 2021
Kerajaan yang bertanggungjawab mesti jawab, bukan tangkap dan simpan di lokap.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim rightly put it in his tweet that the RM70 million question has to be answered in Parliament.
“The rakyat have the right to know the right information, especially in light of so many rumours.
“The government has the responsibility to answer, not arrest and keep (people) in the lock-up.”
Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has also on numerous occasions called for the reconvening of the House, saying the lack of accountability is becoming a worrying trend, even among civil servants.
Consider the chaotic management of movement letters in the first few days of the current movement control order – stemming from a turf war involving the International Trade and Industry Ministry and other ministries.
Or, the inebriated three-way between the National Security Council, local council and police over the status of alcohol sales during the lockdown.
Consider the conflicting statements and flip-flops. Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid has even apologised for giving misinformation that sales of alcohol are totally banned.
Shouldn’t he then be charged with spreading fake news?
The government has given enough fodder for the people to be angry and worried. And, responding to their anger with handcuffs and lock-ups is just pouring fuel on an increasingly raging fire. – The Vibes, June 6, 2021
Terence Fernandez is editor-in-chief of PETRA News and managing editor of The Vibes
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