By Charles Santiago
I HATE to say this but at the rate the Government is going, 2021 is going to be very much the same.
If ministers reprimand civil servants who try to get entertainers travelling from a red zone to Sarawak quarantined, then we are doomed.
If mass gatherings to usher in the New Year are more important, then higher number of COVID-19 cases will “welcome” us next year.
And what’s with allowing for Thaipusam to go on when it attracts thousands of devotees? Is this because we are yet to have a temple cluster?
We certainly did way better with adhering to protocols in March and the few months that followed.
But now that we are having four-digit cases every day, it is perfectly okay to flounder? Especially when those who have tested positive are forced to wait in their homes due to insufficient hospital beds?
Are we for real?
One rule for average Joe, another for the rich and powerful
While I admit a large percentage of the cases involve migrant workers, does that mean the infection has not also spread to the community? And have we not realised that we are not testing undocumented workers?
And thanks to the Government going back on its words and detaining them, chances of us finding and persuading them to get tested are slim.
Have we really learnt a lesson? The rubber glove factory in Klang escaped shutdown and was slapped with a mere RM1,000 fine for not complying with COVID-19 preventive measures, while providing appalling accommodation for their workers.
In comparison, how many poor Malaysians were issued with heavier fines and even jail term for failing to scan QR codes using the MySejahtera application?
I get so frustrated and angry every time my phone beeps and it is a message from the National Security Council (MKN) reminding us to practise social distancing, wear face masks and use sanitisers as a way of fighting COVID-19 together.
Do the Ministers, filthy-rich corporates and others who care two hoots about following the standard operating protocol (SOP) get these messages? I wonder.
We, the ordinary Malaysians, follow protocols and SOPs. It is about time politicians and owners of conglomerates do so too.
It is high time that those who flout safety measures and politicians who interfere in preventive measures are nabbed, jailed and issued heavy penalties.
I really want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. But the Government has to cooperate with us – the “simple” folks – so that anything joyous come to us in 2021.
I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping the Government would do the right thing with consistency.
Charles Santiago is the MP for Klang and the former chairman of National Water Service Commission (SPAN).
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
