Today is the first day of "the Lockdown" - March 18 until the end of the month. Call it anything - Restriction of Movement, Lockdown, partial or whatever, it's just short of curfew, and if the people behave the way I saw them behave this morning, the Government might very well impose that sooner than people might expect.
After breakfast I went on the motorbike and went round the Ampang market, the golf club and the Paroi Jaya shops. The market was doing a roaring business, with motor vehicles choking the parking space as if there is nothing going on. The food stalls were all open, with the usual number of customers. The Seremban-KP road was as busy as usual, with motorcyclists like me filling up the gaps in the traffic. Only the shops were closed. And the golf club.
I'd expected the club gates to be closed, but it was partially open. So I rode in, but at the corner of my eyes I saw the security coming fast on a buggy.
"Tutup, YB !" (They still call me that, 20 years after!)
"Gate tak tutup !" I just wanted to act difficult.
"Tepi sikit, saya nak ambil gambar" I continued.
I took a video of the empty club parking area, speaking into the recording.
Jane called at the same time, asking to play. I shouted into the phone " the whole club is closed until the end of the month !" I had to shout: she couldn't hear me - she's deaf in one ear !
A short while ago Dato' Sulaiman called.
"You went to the club ah ?"
"Closed lah" I said.
"The IGP has withdrawn the interstate travel ban. People were crowding the Police stations for the published travel permits. Now the Police stations were becoming the virus-infecting points. You can travel interstate now, but you must have urgent business, and must come back the same day."
The Covid 19 pandemic is a real worldwide threat now. China and US are at each other's throats , accusing each other as the monster responsible. In fact every country must act on its own to stop the spread of this deadly virus. No one else is going to help when everyone is facing the same mortal enemy. The number of deaths is mounting daily. My fear is this number is under-reported.
Dato' Sulaiman is happy that Friday prayers have been cancelled.
Seriously, the protection of Life is one of the 5 Maqasid Syar'ie. The others being Faith, Reason, Lineage and Wealth.
The preservation of life through safeguards and government infrastructure, concessions in emergencies, protection of freedom and the protection against inexcuseable killing all promote this.
Faith, the first Maqasid Syar'ie, is a must. Without faith human society cannot endure.
Reason encourages intellect and learning. That's why its mpairment through use of drugs and alcohol is a major sin.
Lineage encourages marriage, childcare and upbringing, and promotes moral conduct, chastity and honour.
Wealth encourages endeavour and self-sufficiency. It urges fair transactions, protection of ownership, justice and mutual agreement in business dealings. It insists on fair, not equal distribution.
Members of society must play their part for order to succeed. Acts of irresponsibility will sabotague all efforts and in the end harm everyone, including the perpetrator.
Meantime, I suggested to Dato' Sulaiman that he practise his putting. Indoors.
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