Maybe not the decision Malaysians were expecting?
The infamous case of Neelofa’s breach of SOPs has finally ended with a verdict: the TV host and entrepreneur has been compound RM 20,000 for failing to abide by the physical distancing law during her recent wedding. Another offence was the violation of authorization for interstate travel. Meanwhile, 20 of Neelofa and PU Riz’s relatives were issued an RM1,500 compound each, which totals RM 30,000. The couple held their ceremony in front of about 200 guests, with some caught on camera sitting close to each other without their masks on during the ceremony.
https://www.flyfm.com.my/flycelebrity-neelofa-requests-for-space-as-she-deals-with-the-allegations-made-against-her/
Despite the Malaysian entrepreneur finally being held accountable, netizens were far from satisfied, claiming that the compound didn’t seem fair for a person of that wealth.
This user said “Wait, the burger seller got fined 50k for trying to make a living, 20k only for a VVIP wedding ceremony? Crazy!”
Wait abg burger 50k sbb cari rezeki, 20k hanya untuk majlis kahwin vvip? Gilerrr !
— Omnomnom (@Ohsaissy) April 27, 2021
The user was in fact referring to a burger seller in Kelantan, who recently went viral after being fined the maximum amount of compound for flouting the Movement Control Order (MCO) Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by operating beyond the 10 pm limit.
Alahai dugaan bulan puasa. Berniaga burger depan tangga rumah. Pukul 11 lebih polis datang bagi kompaun RM50k.
Semoga rezeki aku dan keluarga bertambah. Ada hikmah disebalik kejadian, niaga pun untuk buat lepas bayar bil bulan-bulan sahaja.
Kredit: Faisal Burger pic.twitter.com/Lclvr8h1nd
— OHMEDIA.MY (@ohtweet) April 26, 2021
This user felt as if the compound is peanuts for Neelofa and her family. They said “60k = just between her teeth”
60k = celah gigi Neelofa je
— Pika-boo (@helllooooimhere) April 27, 2021
Neelofa has been the face of controversy quite often this year. Aside from her wedding, the recent release of a pair of slippers – described as she being “Muslim friendly” – had netizens questioning what it meant to have footwear that wasn’t Muslim friendly. Some may call it marketing, and some may call it damaging one’s reputation.
https://www.flyfm.com.my/flycelebrity-what-lunacy-is-this-malaysians-react-to-neelofas-rm79-muslim-friendly-slippers/
Following the news of the fine, Neelofa has released a statement through her Twitter account saying that she accepts the fine and sees it as a lesson. She thanks all authorities involved and apologizes to everyone who was affected.
Assalammualaikum. Seperti yang telah diberitakan, ya, saya sudah dimaklumkan tentang kompaun yang dikenakan terhadap saya dan Haris. Saya menerima dengan hati yang terbuka dan menjadikan kompaun ini sebagai satu pengajaran untuk menggunakan kebenaran merentas negeri atas tujuan..
— Neelofa (@Neelofa) April 27, 2021
Amidst all this, we advise Malaysians to continue obeying the SOPs set by the government. It is always best to avoid crowded places and frequently wash your hands. Together, we can stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
*Cover image credit: Instagram/Neelofa