JOHOR BAHRU: Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor, popularly generally known as Neelofa, and her husband Muhammad Haris Muhammad Ismail (higher generally known as PU Riz) are fashionable celebrity influencers.
Yet in current months, they’ve been within the information for the improper causes, and now made notorious for continued breaches of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) beneath the Malaysia’s Movement Control Orders (MCO).
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From a marriage ceremony that clearly violated social distancing necessities, a questionable “work trip” to Langkawi, to crossing state strains for a carpet procuring journey and internet hosting a household gathering on the primary day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, they not solely dedicated a number of infringements but in addition blithely posted these on social media.
This week, they pleaded not responsible to costs of failing to register with the MySejahtera tracing app on the carpet store in Negeri Sembilan. Police introduced that they might not be urgent costs for crossing state borders, on the recommendation of the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
Immediately after the listening to, netizens identified that Neelofa didn’t put on a masks beneath her niqab on the Seremban Magistrate Court as required by the COVID-19 ordinances. Investigation into this newest saga has begun.
READ: Commentary: Malaysia’s nationwide MCO – denial, doubts and divisions threaten effectiveness
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CELEBRITY SLIP UPS?
Unfortunately, Neelofa and PU Riz are not the one celebrities breaking COVID-19 guidelines. While early on within the pandemic, Malaysian celebrities had come collectively to remind Malaysians to abide by the SOPs, many have been seen blatantly ignoring them.
Police have began investigations into Siti Nurhaliza, one in every of Malaysia’s hottest singers, for holding an occasion to commemorate the beginning of her new child child. Several of her visitors and different dignitaries have been reported to have crossed state strains to attend the occasion.
This disregard for guidelines transcend the poor behaviour of some people and appear to be considerably commonplace.
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Siti Nurhaliza gave beginning to son Muhammad Afwa on Apr 19. (Photo: Instagram/ctdk)
Over the previous few months, quite a lot of Instagram influencers have been fined for offering false info of their journey functions whereas others have been fined for Hari Raya video greetings and not using a masks.
A style present by native model Leeyanarahman Collection in Kuala Lumpur held in March confirmed many style present attendees with out their masks on.
READ: Commentary: Some ache at the same time as Singapore rises to the problem of tighter COVID-19 measures
DOUBLE STANDARDS
Anger in the direction of celebrity breaches of SOPs has bubbled over. A nationwide petition to place Neelofa and her husband in jail gathered 25,000 signatures in lower than 36 hours, however the calls for embody a halting of the double-requirements in regulation enforcement and understandably so.
On the identical day in April that Neelofa, her husband and her members of the family have been fined a complete of RM60,000 (US$14,500) for holding a marriage with out social distancing and masks, a road vendor in Kelantan was fined RM50,000 for preserving his burger stall open past 10pm, sparking angry comparisons. No wonder Neelofa rapidly provided to pay the burger vendor’s effective.
READ: Commentary: Najib Razak’s effective and a story of double requirements in Malaysia
The frustration over the double requirements additionally appear to revolve round a perceived greater burden of proof for celebrities. Most celebrities and dignitaries caught on digicam breaching SOPs are referred to as in for investigations earlier than they are charged.
Some common residents, nonetheless, are given quick summons on the spot nicely past their monetary means with out the necessity for additional investigations. Some have hung out in jail due to their incapacity to pay the effective or enchantment in opposition to the costs.
Do these personalities suppose they are above the regulation? Do they not know they’re breaking the regulation?
READ: Commentary: Mixed messaging, misinformation in Malaysia are complicating compliance with COVID-19 guidelines
It is likely to be a number of unhealthy eggs nevertheless it’s laborious to shake off the sensation of injustice. While abnormal Malaysians are made to remain dwelling, celebrities couldn’t solely stroll round with out their masks, they might additionally maintain occasions just like the Iftar social gathering on Apr 29 in a lodge in Kuala Lumpur.
Worse, celebrities appear overly fixated on how the MCO will impression them and are unbothered with the huge challenges confronted by the nation thrown up by the pandemic.
Kamal Adli and Uqasha Senrose, one other celebrity couple, introduced in end-March plans to have three wedding ceremony celebrations. They mentioned they hope that SOP restrictions can be eased by then. Netizens have been fast to level out that they need to hope COVID-19 numbers come down as a substitute.
DISPLAYS OF EXTRAVAGANCE
Indeed, essentially the most painful realisation is how extravagantly these celebrities dwell whereas the remainder of the nation suffers.
A medical employee receives a vaccine for the coronavirus illness (COVID-19) throughout a vaccination program at Kuala Lumpur Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Mar 1, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng)
Many on social media have identified how the brazen shows of wealth and luxurious are offensive at a time when others have misplaced jobs, are struggling sharp drops of revenue, or are unwell.
Given that quite a lot of these celebrities faucet Islamic hijabi traits to interact their followers, there have additionally been questions on how pious they really are and whether or not they are the kind of function fashions folks needs to be wanting as much as.
Some have identified too that Neelofa’s partner, PU Riz, is an Islamic preacher. Yet, the couple’s demonstrations of self-indulgence and outright disregard of SOP breaches run counter to the moderation and honesty anticipated of non secular spokespersons.
READ: Commentary: Frustrated with tightened COVID-19 restrictions, Johor residents hope this MCO is the final
FOCUSING ON FIGHTING THE PANDEMIC
While celebrities who frequently flout SOP restrictions with no regard for the hazards of COVID-19 have come beneath large criticism, there are a handful of followers who appear to unwaveringly help their Insta-heroes.
Neelofa, for instance, continues to have an enormous following on Instagram, with some calling her a “strong girl” for overcoming the controversy round her. That too is problematic if such behaviours are setting the requirements for younger Malaysians and sending the improper sign concerning the seriousness with which COVID-19 guidelines needs to be handled with.
When artistes maintain breaking the regulation with impunity and appear to get away with mere slaps on their wrists, public frustration can gasoline resistance in opposition to the foundations and divert wanted consideration on breaking the chain of transmission.
This lack of concentrate on combating the pandemic is much more harmful now that Malaysia’s new day by day an infection numbers have reached 6,000 circumstances, with ICU beds rapidly filling up and the variety of lifeless rising.
Hospitals in Kedah have already declared they are going to not permit power sufferers into the ICU. A hospital in Sungai Buloh, Selangor, has even arrange refrigerated transport containers simply to retailer our bodies of the lifeless.
The scenario is more and more dire and Malaysians must concentrate on the pandemic to scale back its unfold, as a substitute of getting distracted by incessant celebrity dramas.
Celebrities like Neelofa can also do their half – by obeying the regulation.
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Dr Serina Rahman, Visiting Fellow on the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, writes from Johor the place she’s in lockdown with the remainder of Malaysia.
