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PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Ramkarpal Singh attacked Plantation and Commodities Industries Minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali for what he calls “insensitive comments” about the closure of nightclubs and entertainment venues.
In a statement, Ramkarpal appeared to take Khairuddin’s comments in a Facebook post as a reference to Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s joke last week that it would be a good thing if nightclubs and entertainment venues didn’t reopen.
Khairuddin had said, without specifying details, that “the prime minister’s statements were correct.”
“If (they) don’t open forever, that’s fine. Have fun at home with your friends.
“There is no need to party until you get drunk and create more trouble. Only a few like it. Many do not agree.
“Follow the voice of the majority …”, he said in the message.
Entertainment venues remain closed under the recovery movement control order imposed to control the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ramkarpal said that Khairuddin’s comments were a reflection of the “superficiality of the PAS leaders” in handling people-related issues.
“Deprived of any evidence, statistical or otherwise, Khairuddin claimed that the ‘majority’ was in favor of this and, as such, the minority should ‘follow’ the wishes of the majority.
“Has Khairuddin forgotten that nightclubs and entertainment venues are also a source of income for many, regardless of race or religion, and that the shutdown of the industry will seriously affect their livelihoods?”
Bukit Gelugor’s MP also questioned whether Khairuddin realized that the tourism industry also depends on nightclubs and entertainment venues and that closing them will seriously affect the tourism industry.
“Have you thought about the taxes the government charges the tourism and entertainment industries that have contributed to the development of the country for years?
“It is obvious that Khairuddin has not thought of any of the above despite having the resources to do so now that he is a minister,” he said, adding that Khairuddin should do his homework before making any statements.
He said the government should refrain from making insensitive comments that will further affect the nightclub and entertainment industry, which has been badly affected by Covid-19.
“The prime minister should clarify whether what he said was a joke, if not, it is likely that in the near future more nonsensical statements will emerge from his lieutenants, which have no useful purpose.”
