Spike in COVID-19 cases, Dr Maza rebukes government leaders

KUALA LUMPUR: The indifferent attitude of some political leaders who did not follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic has disappointed the Mufti of Perlis, Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.

In a post on his Instagram entitled 'Should All Go There To The Extent of Endangering Us Here?’, Dr Mohd Asri or better known as Dr Maza wrote about the attitude of politicians who flocked to Sabah during the recent state election.

He questioned whether it was necessary for all ministers and political leaders to be in the ‘State Beneath The Wind’ to campaign.

"Our question is, do all politicians need to go there? Do all ministers, all party leaders, all party office-bearers need to participate? Is the campaign flawed without them?

"That is not to mention if anyone asks on the allocation to fly there, cost of accommodation and movement, whether it was under the government or one’s own expense?!" he said.

He was also surprised by the attitude of some politicians who were known to rarely visit their own constituencies but were busy campaigning in Sabah.

"Even odder, there are politicians in the Peninsula who are not very functional and not influential, trying to build influence in Sabah?

"Some who always disappear in their own state or their own area, suddenly appear and were busy in Sabah. If that is their personal problem and their party alone, it does not matter.

"However, it has become a problem for the people and the problem for all of us workers who work for the country. Even when we want to go to the office, we are worried," he added.

Dr Maza also said that if only some of them complied with the SOP, then COVID-19 would still continue to spread.

He said if there were those who did not comply with the SOP, the victims will be those who were obedient and complied with all the existing rules.

"However, if only half are compliant and the other half are not, then the cause of COVID-19 spread will continue at all levels and apply to all.

"Do not enter the epidemic area. If you have entered, then you must quarantine yourself. That is the SOP taught by the Prophet (PBUH) and agreed by all people regardless of religion.

"If there are those who did not obey, then they are making victims among those who obey and all those who complied with all the existing rules," he wrote.

Dr Maza also strongly urged government leaders to abide by the SOPs set by themselves.

In fact, he cynically criticised the attitude of political leaders regardless of party who did not comply with the SOP but at the same time talked about the interests of the people.

"Government leaders are the ones who set the SOP, therefore it is very appropriate to abide by the rules and SOPs set by themselves.

"The same goes for all politicians regardless of party who always talk about the so-called 'people's interests'.

"So many of those who went there to campaign, had returned without complying with the SOP," he said.

COVID-19 cases have spiked sharply recently with new cases on October 5 of 432 cases being the highest so far.

Several politicians, including Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad were also confirmed positive after returning from Sabah.