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YOURSAY | Don’t expect ‘fat cats’ to heed Khairy’s warning

This article is 3 years old

YOURSAY | ‘Politicians have been caught breaking SOPs with impunity.’

KJ: Many politicians fat and unhealthy, should mask up

Falcon: Who better to point this out than an insider? This statement (urging politicians to continue to wear masks) coming from a member of the cabinet is truly welcome.

Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin went on to state that if members of the cabinet and other politicians get Covid-19, even with the vaccine, it’s not going to be fun for them. Perhaps more fatalities and more elections?

We worry not for these politicians but for the common folks having to participate in these elections where allegedly huge sums of money change hands.

We should learn lessons from the UK, which is currently experiencing another Covid-19 wave despite the high vaccination rate there. But here, we are already prematurely celebrating as if we have beaten the pandemic.

And then there’s the Malacca state election, which is just recklessly tempting fate when Covid-19 has already resulted in an economic downturn and huge loss of lives.

It exposed politicians for what they really are - greedy, power-hungry, self-serving, two-faced chameleons. Inexplicably they also claim to be godly and without blemish. Seriously?

Mazalamani: Let us not be too concerned with overweight ministers and MPs with long-term medical issues for not wearing masks, but Khairy has also touched on common people that are overweight and have medical issues. They need to be careful and keep their masks on.

Just because the cases have seen a reduction in recent days, it should not prevent us from wearing masks in crowded places and workplaces. Scientists are talking about the virus being left suspended in the air after a Covid-19 patient had sneezed or coughed. So why take the risk?

Taking precautionary measures by wearing masks, using hand sanitiser, washing hands with soap, avoid physical contact such as patting or hugging someone, are good practices we must continue to observe.

It is also advised that you immediately take a shower after an outing, a short trip to a shop or stall or when coming back from work for your own safety and your family, particularly those living with senior citizens and young children.

The two doses of vaccination are no guarantee that one is completely safe.

OCT: Khairy’s advice for politicians to wear their masks and keep fit will fall on deaf ears.

The rakyat have seen politicians caught breaking SOPs (standard operation procedures) with impunity. This shows that they don't give two hoots about health safety.

During the lockdown, most politicians were at home without doing any useful work. Just eat, sleep and watch TV. They have no problems with money as they continue to receive their pay cheque. What do they know about the rakyat’s suffering?

Maya: When these politicians get sick, they can go to private hospitals because they can afford to do so. Even if they are admitted to a public hospital, they get VVIP treatment. All the specialists have to work hard to give them the best care.

Even if they do get Covid-19, they are allowed to quarantine at home. If their symptoms worsen to Categories 4 or 5, they probably will get priority for ICU admission.

Khairy can talk all he wants but these politicians don’t give two hoots about what he said. They are a special breed, voted in by fools.

Betul Malu Bukan Malu Apa: These politicians, especially cabinet ministers, are fat not just physically but also financially.

And why wouldn’t they be? They have full-time drivers and are given a monthly allowance of RM5,700 as parking fees, and we’re probably the only country that does so.

Meanwhile, graduate doctors are paid RM2,950 while serving their two-year housemanship.

No gatherings, social events for Malacca election - KJ

Dr Suresh Kumar: A state election is not like going to shops or restaurants where you can control the customers and diners as the numbers would be small. In an election, there will be thousands of voters queuing up to vote. It's not easy to observe physical distancing.

If you decide to have an election, then you have to allow the various parties to campaign too. That is what democracy is all about. Hence, I raised the pertinent question as to how the authorities are going to control the crowd at ceramahs.

The best solution was to avoid the Malacca state election and look for other viable options. But Khairy, you and your Umno-friendly governor decided to dissolve the state assembly for your own political survival and agenda.

Now, who gives you the right to ban ceramahs or gatherings? Since you did not seem to give a damn for the health of the people in Malacca by calling for a statewide election, you might as well allow the campaigning as well.

This is the reason why I have been saying all along that we should not overrate politicians just because they did two or three things right. After all, it’s their duty as the rakyat’s servants to do them, and not get just two or three things but 1,000 things right.

It’s okay to give credit where it’s due but don’t overrate these politicians.

Khairy is playing politics with his statement. Please open your eyes wide and chastise this once fourth-floor boy who allegedly made tonnes of money in the ECM Libra venture. He’s the same as other bumiputera rent-seekers.

Bluemountains: Why do you hold the election if you are not going to allow campaigning?

If the government thinks that there is still a very high risk of infection, then they should declare a localised emergency to avoid an election. Banning campaigns in an election is most undemocratic.

The opposition does not have the benefit of the mass media which the incumbent can use to their advantage. It is like the opposition having to fight the incumbent blindfolded.


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