Dear Diary,
We have survived 50 days of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
We have six more days and while the Conditional MCO is likely to continue – it almost feels like freedom as curfew has been lifted and we can travel almost anywhere with permission. But with no cure in sight for Covid-19, life will not be the same for a long time.
It has been a roller-coaster with many of us wondering what the future holds. The worldwide economy is as fragile as the political alliances in Malaysia and many business owners will be overjoyed if they can break even. Sadly, many might not.
Added to this is the case involving Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s daughter Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid who had violated the MCO.
Last night, B. Lisa Christina questioned why Nurulhidayah was let off with a paltry RM800 fine when she was locked up for the same offence. Lisa, a single mother, was released after eight days when her jail term was substituted with an RM1,000 fine.
Although Lisa has deleted her Facebook post, she posed a valid question.
Many are also questioning why it took the authorities so long to act as Nurul and her husband Datuk Saiful Nizam Mohd Yusoff had violated the MCO on April 20.
Also, why did the magistrate’s court barred reporters from the proceedings?
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today it is up to the courts to decide on the punishment for those guilty of violating the MCO.
For the record, there is nothing wrong with Nurulhidayah receiving an RM800 fine as the law states it’s a maximum of RM1,000 and/or jail time.
But those within the legal fraternity ought to be reminded that “Not only must justice be done, it must also be seen to be done.” And to many, justice was not done as ordinary folks had been handcuffed and sent to jail for the same offence.
Similarly, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali was fined RM1,000, eleven days after violating the MCO by having lunch with a group of supporters which included Semanggol assemblyman Razman Zakaria.
Those who took part in the ‘kenduri kepala kambing’ were jailed – although they deserved it for recording the event and asking “what MCO”.
And what about Deputy Rural Development Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamad whose supporters brought a cake to his house on his birthday? He claimed it was not planned and no action was taken against anyone although once again, there were plenty of photographs of “the celebration”.
While he got off scot-free, a student who baked a cake for her boyfriend was fined and jailed. She was 800 metres from her house while her boyfriend, who drove 8km to meet her was only fined.
No further action was taken against Terengganu Menteri Besar Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and a group of people, including Kijal state assemblyman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said, for violating the MCO. Once again, there were many photographs of their meeting.
Granted, facts of the cases and mitigating circumstances differ but to the common folk, it smells of double standards. So can you blame the ordinary folks for getting upset?
But as ‘The MCO Diaries’ stated last week, nothing changes.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri announced:
- Those travelling interstate should head home straight away as only the public restrooms at R&Rs will be opened.
- Tomorrow only those from Kuala Lumpur can travel. Friday will see people in Perak, Johor and Kelantan travelling followed by those in Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Melaka and Pahang on Saturday while on Sunday, those in Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Terengganu will travel.
- Foreign nationals still cannot enter Malaysia.
The number of new Covid-19 cases in Malaysia is 45, bringing the total to 6,428. Another 135 patients have been discharged, meaning 4,702 people have been cured. There was one more death which makes it 107 fatalities.
There’s also good news for those with hire-purchase loans. After days of confusion, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz revealed the banks have agreed to not impose additional charges throughout the moratorium period and that borrowers will continue to pay their monthly instalments once the period ends.
I sign off with a Sheena Easton number
