Among those obstacles is the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) or hazmat suits when handling patients.
On Monday, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin was seen joining a public disinfection operation in Petaling Jaya while donning a hazmat suit for a photo op.
Not a good move
Her selfish act has triggered a nationwide backlash not only from Malaysians but from politicians as well.According to The Star, former deputy Health director-general Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman has lambasted the minister for wasting resources and public fund for publicity.
"What a waste, the money spent could well be used for other more meaningful purposes - for example, hospital staff members having to prepare their own PPE when they should be managing patients,” Dr Lokman said.
He added that the publicity stunt has also caused a risk, as social distancing was not practiced during the session.
Several other politcians also critised the Ampang MP's decision to don the suit.
Netizens, too, were not pleased with Zuraida’s stunt and unleashed their wrath on social media.
The PPE is wasted on Zuraida. It should be reserved for a doctor or a nurse who needs it more. https://t.co/2xbcULIQaN
— The Garuda (@HRDipendra) March 30, 2020
This Zuraida is a disappoinment. Wasting PPE just for publicity stunt. She even got MENTERI written on her forehead. Evil clown. https://t.co/MG8gtfkztg
— Nadd (@banananadd) March 31, 2020
Dear YB @zuraida_my , instead going around wasting PPE, since house owners can get moratorium, maybe some policy to help renters with their rent too?
— Fatt Khim (@FattKhim) March 31, 2020
Ie. Since no repayments for housing loan, landlords are required to at least half the rental during MCO?
Siapa dah tgk Zuraida pakai PPE dan acah2 sembur2 bangunan pagi tadi?
— Rashid Yusoff (@RashidYusoff11) March 30, 2020
Face shield siap tulis MENTERI.
Zuraida wearing PPE is pure stupid act of propaganda https://t.co/PwkKL8qlow
— w.scherbatsky (@sxuuuuuu) March 30, 2020
Oh my. Pls don't waste precious PPE unnecessarily.
— Saloma Kassim (@Boingoof) March 30, 2020
Why is @ybz99 Zuraida wearing PPE? Nobody else is. And why are there so many people there not practising social distancing? @DGHisham maybe MOH needs to advise some ministers. Leaders should lead by example. @MuhyiddinYassin https://t.co/ie9Mrs94yo
@zuraida_my tak perlu join buat disinfection. Itu bukan kerja yb. Buat buat sibuk dilarang untuk menteri. Sudah sudah buang PPE. Membazir. Don't you trust the authorities to do a proper job. Jangan sibuk tolong where you are not needed. Resign if you can't do your job. https://t.co/baneXRvF44
— Rulman Azwak (@madmaxheguy) March 30, 2020
Dear @zuraida_my
— Damien ? #JustStayAtHome ?? (@damien_thl) March 30, 2020
Could you kindly not waste precious PPE for some photo op? And that huge "MENTERI" label that you place on the visor? That's why the people hate you.
Don't believe me? See the results from the ballot boxes when the election comes round.
Sekian. Terima Kasih
Takut orang tak tahu dia tu menteri ke? ??? pic.twitter.com/Wi2pAcABUJ
— Toon Seri Anthraxxxx (@anthraxxxx) March 30, 2020
Semalam pakai PPE tu sejam pun rasa terseksa jiwa raga apa ke gila menteri zuraida tu pakai PPE dengan jumpsuit tengah rembang cuma nak tunjuk buat kerja.
— hasnol hayat says go corona go (@hasnolhayat) March 30, 2020
To our ministers, this is definitely not the right time to focus on you; it’s time to focus on the people, the frontliners, and the country.
Every step you make today will be remembered for decades to come.