By Pappa Raidu Veraman
PRIME Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should respect human rights before accusing others.
The recent announcement on the increase in compound for breaching the standard operating procedures (SOPs) stipulated for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 to RM10,000 beginning March 11 is a violation of our Federal Constitution.
Both the PM and his Perikatan Nasional (Perikatan) Government should respect our Federal Constitution before they comment or condemn other nations especially about the ongoing fiasco in Myanmar.
Article 8(2) states that except as expressly authorised by the Constitution, there shall be no discrimination against citizens on the ground only of religion, race, descent, place of birth or gender in any law or in the appointment to any office or employment under public authority.
In a recent incident which happened in Bukit Kemuning, Shah Alam where an 18- year-old boy was issued a RM10,000 compound for violating COVID-19 SOPs. For this boy, who is working as a cleaner on a daily wage of RM30, this amount is huge for him.
I am here not only voicing out for this boy but I am against any form of violation in this country.
Out there, many of my fellow citizens are crying and facing the same problem.
Meanwhile, I saw a lot of controversial statements from both IGP Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador and Senior Minister (Security)Datuk Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in regards to the RM10,000 fine.
Moreover, there wasn’t any Bill tabled in the Parliament for approval, since there is no parliamentary sitting and the state of Emergency is totally unacceptable by anyone who loves democracy.
Not only that, the Government has turned a blind eye over the suffering of Malaysians, triggered by the pandemic. The entire food and tourism businesses collapsed, with leading hotels throwing in the towel.
If you think your outlandish fine is helping to stem COVID-19, then please look at the statistics and see the reality.
The only way to stop this violation of the Federal Constitution is to reconvene the Parliament House. – March 23, 2021
Pappa Raidu Veraman is the founder of NGO, the Malaysian Indian Voice.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
