THE Prime Minister is wrong. The issue is not whether it is a compoundable offence or crime. It is whether the Government will demonstrate its political will to lead by example or continue to allow top Government figures breach COVID-19 SOP with minimal fine.

The response by PM Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Senior Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s breach of SOP is shocking. It simply shows that the PM is not serious in ensuring his Cabinet members adhere to their own restrictions and effort in combating COVID-19.

It is not the first time a high-ranking Government figure breached SOP. The wrong have all started with the Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Dr Noor Azmi and Perak State exco, Razman Zakaria in March 2020.

It was followed by the breach of quarantine rules by the then Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Razali. Multiple ministers were named in the police report lodged on a wedding ceremony held in Seremban for allegedly breach of SOP, for example, crossing state borders during the movement control order (MCO).

The largest ruling party, which the PM himself belongs to, was compounded by the Health Ministry for breaching SOP during the Melaka election machinery launch in Kuala Lumpur. The list keeps expanding.

This time its Hishammuddin, the senior minister who is responsible for drafting, finalising and issuing the SOPs. He is supposed to lead by example and demonstrate to the people what can be done and what not. Yet, he has chosen to ignore it.

The Government had sought, with its multiple efforts, to get the amendment to Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease Act passed with a heavily increased penalty, arguing it was to ensure SOPs are not breached.

However, it does not serve any purpose at all if the Government’s top figures are just glaringly ignoring the law and regulations. Any amount of fine would not affect them.

It is the political responsibility for Hishammuddin to resign. No other options. It is all about the credibility of the Government. – Feb 14, 2022

Wong Kah Woh is the MP for Ipoh Timur.

https://focusmalaysia.my/hishammuddins-blunder-its-about-leadership-by-example-mr-pm/