On Monday (9 November), Ketari assemblywoman uploaded a few pictures of her and her friends celebrating her birthday by the beach.
The post went viral instantaneously and the DAP politician was lambasted by netizens for being irresponsible.
Young Syefura or also known as Rara had a picnic birthday celebration at Avani Sepang Gold Coast Resort.
Rara and her buddies were however photographed without any facemasks, and the group were also not practising social distancing.
Netizens accused her of abusing her powers as a politician by brazenly breaching the SOPs set by the government during the pandemic.
She later took down the photos and posted an apology.
Saya memohon maaf jika tindakan saya melanggar sebarang SOP Covid-19. Saya x menggunakan sebarang kelebihan sbg seorg wakil rakyat utk bergerak di dlm Selangor, negeri saya bermastautin. Saya rela disiasat oleh pihak berkuasa jika tindakan sy melanggar sebarang SOP Covid-19. Tq.
— YS (@youngsyefura) November 9, 2020
“I apologise if my actions have broken the SOPs in place for Covid-19. I did not abuse my power as a state assemblyman to move within Selangor, the state I reside in.”
“I am willing to be investigated by the authorities if I have broken and SOPs. Thank you.”
She added that although she is an assemblywoman in Pahang, she currently resides in Selangor.
Several netizens have also pressured her into resigning following the controversial birthday celebration.
Hapyy birthday yb! What a day to be this dumb!! https://t.co/yVWftSLDTu pic.twitter.com/ndD4QwenvP
— ? (@farisLC7) November 9, 2020
Kesian YB Ketari rentas red zone takde mask ni. Saya ada banyak, macam-macam warna ada. Nak ke? pic.twitter.com/YqIXnwa7if
— Young Berpura-pura (@IniAlannn) November 9, 2020
— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) November 10, 2020
Let’s put the SOP issue aside; an ADUN posting photos of her celebrating without seemingly exercising physical distancing in a 5 star resort while many Msians (incl many of ur own voters) are struggling amidst the worst economic downturn in over 20yrs is optically disingenuous.
— Faizal Hamssin (@faizalhamssin) November 9, 2020
So Ketari people, your YB tak reti duduk diam while in red zone state, disrespecting PKPB, not because of work, but because she can, and berulang alik between red zone and your kawasan.
— ?? YTae #tae4PM ? (@taeyong) November 9, 2020
Pray hard dia bukan super spreader.
Wah, untunglaaaa jadi Yang Berjual boleh rentas negeri untuk birthday ride. Motif sangat. Punya luas negeri Pahang tu perlu ke nak ke Selangor. Kalau ada urusan kerja, tak reti selesai kerja terus balik ke? Insensitive langsung pergi flaunt kat IG.
— ?? YTae #tae4PM ? (@taeyong) November 8, 2020
you took the benefit of being an adun to go back and forth from pahang to your place of stay. same thing. patutnya jadi adun ketari, duduk jela kat ketari https://t.co/9dGD1pxsv8
— Gabe (@ghazaliera) November 9, 2020
There’s a very good opportunity here to step up and hold yourself to the standards we’ve not seen politicians in the country hold themselves to so far.
— Iqbal (@Iqtodabal) November 9, 2020
Do the right thing - face the sentence or step down. https://t.co/qmqh9VeIAw
As a PH-supporter, and a Ketarian especially, I am so disappointed at the way you addressed this issue. You did not sound apologetic, you answered nonchalantly, and you behaved as if you did nothing wrong. What grant you the right to travel interstate? Sebab ahli politik?
— 한재빈 (@aidilistic_) November 9, 2020
Practice what you preach, YB @youngsyefura ✌️ pic.twitter.com/fAdpO6uf2y
— Adzrul Syafiq (@adzrlsyfq) November 9, 2020
The National Security Council had banned a long list of activities including picnicking during the CMCO that was enforced in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Putrajaya effective 14 October.
No action has been taken on the Ketari rep to date.