Some took the opportunity to go on a honeymoon (ahem!), and some said they were on a business trip but was seen doing leisure activities (double ahem!).
This led to multiple investigations against said persons of interests over an alleged breach of COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOP).
PDRM: We want to see your itinerary!
Following the slew of controversies, a picture showing a memo from one of the local police stations went viral on social media recently.
According to the memo, anyone who would want to travel interstate would now have to produce a detailed itinerary of their trip along with other supporting documents.
The police office in charge would also have to be more thorough when giving approval.
On top of that, those who approach the police station with only a copy of their MyKad to apply for the permit will be rejected.
Netizens are not happy
Netizens were enraged over the memo and blamed irresponsible influencers and celebrities for making it harder for them to apply for permission.A majority of the wrath was directed at one person: local celebrity Neelofa.
Terima kasih @Neelofa pic.twitter.com/SYsluTQrCu
— Lucius Maximus ?? (@lcsmxms) April 5, 2021
rasa kelakar pulak sebab bayangkan marah instafemes, retis yang langgar sop supaya dikenakan tindakan tapi last-last polis ketatkan peraturan utk rakyat biasa aklsdjaklsjdklashdajks
— izzi (@IzzRaifHarz) April 5, 2021
Terima kasih @Neelofa menyusahkan orang lain yang betul2 ada urusan. Semoga balasan setimpal untuk kamu.
— K E E M (@keemmazni) April 5, 2021
Harap kamu dikenakan tindakan. https://t.co/PUzkFD3shN
Terima kasih Neelofa atas segala galanya. Now polis ada lebih banyak masa untuk go tru every applications 4 rentas negeri!! Yeaaaa. Hidup Neelofa.
— Pegawai Tadbir Dapur (PTD) (@MrsNany) April 6, 2021
Kerana neelofa setitik, rosak SOP sebelanga
— Snorlek lu (@bumilangit) April 6, 2021
my wife is coming home to Malaysia soon. we're hoping to spend our time quarantining ourselves together.
— Eli Ben Rahman | #RakyatJagaRakyat ?? (@redrun_) April 6, 2021
harapnya tak la susah urusan nak apply permit rentas negeri disebabkan hal neelofa & igfamous bengap.
My grandma has just passed away
— Syefri Zulkefli ?? (@chapree) April 5, 2021
Me and my family members are now scrambling away to get the approval to travel to Rembau tmrw morning
Really hope that the ignorant celebs, instafemes, and retis yg langgar SOP hari tu not going to affect our applications
Her recent trip to Langkawi right after her wedding in order to oversee a potential Chatime outlet raised eyebrows nationwide.
To make things worse, the 32-year-old was spotted taking part in leisure activities while she and her husband were at the island.
The police have said that they will be calling in the couple to record their statements regarding to the matter soon.
Shame? What's that?
Meanwhile, Neelofa seems unfazed about the whole backlash and even thanked everyone for the free marketing we’ve been giving her.According to Malay Mail, the Naelofar co-founder says she doesn’t have to justify to everyone about everything.
“I don’t have to justify anything [to the public], let me settle this with my own way, privately and professionally.
“I don’t have to tell every detail, I only need to settle this with relevant parties only,” she was quoted saying by Malaysia Gazette.
She also added that the trip has been planned for “months in advance” as it was for work purposes.
Neelofa is currently working with Chatime to open several outlets in Langkawi Island and wanted to complete her planned work before the fasting month begins.
Besides Neelofa, an influencer couple recently went viral after they openly spoke about crossing states for their honeymoon and even tried to teach netizens how to obtain the permission letter from the police.
After investigations, it was learned that the couple had lied about going on a business trip and went for their honeymoon instead.
What do you think? Will interstate travel be harder for us peasants following these controversies?