As of 31 Jan 2021, the number of daily new case COVID-19 infections had increased to 5,298, while the number of daily active cases had risen to 48,150. Indeed, the figure did increase the following day and remained in the five thousands for three days.
Sadly, a total of 262 people had died due to COVID-19 infection in our country in the first 29 days of 2021. From the 262 deaths recorded from 1 Jan to 29 Jan 2021, 92% or 240 deaths were citizens and the remaining 8% or 22 deaths were non-citizens. More men died with 174 deaths or 66% than women with 34% or 88 deaths. Ninety-four per cent of the 262 deaths were aged 40 and over and 90% of the deaths had a history of chronic disease. The most common chronic diseases affecting the 262 cases of COVID-19 deaths are high blood pressure (64%), diabetes (59%), kidney (30%), heart disease (19%), dyslipidemia (16%), stroke (8 %) and obesity (5%). Selangor, Sabah, and Johor recorded the highest deaths during the 29 days. Older people with chronic diseases are at high risk who will get various complications when infected with COVID-19. (Ministry of Health Malaysia Face Book, 30 Jan. 2021).
From the world perspective, the total cumulative number of positive COVID-19 cases worldwide has exceeded 103 million. The latest data by the Johns Hopkins University shows that the United States remains the worst-affected country with over 26.26 million cases. This is followed by India with 10.75 million and Brazil with 9.2 million cases, while countries with more than three million cases are the United Kingdom, Russia, and France. Other countries which have recorded positive numbers between 100,000 and 300,000 cases include Malaysia. (Astro Awani, 2 Feb. 2021).
Indeed, New Zealand is a country worth emulating in fighting the pandemic. If the president of a country wants a cup of coffee at the coffee shop, chances are s/he will surely be served. Not so in New Zealand whose prime minister was actually turned down from the coffee shop due to COVID-19.
In the land of the Kiwis, everyone follows the law from the waiter up to the prime minister. Jacinda Arden was turned down by the restaurant because it had reached its capacity. Most countries have two problems. First, people do not follow rules, and second, politicians are above the law. When politicians are above the law, it is a signal to everyone that the law does not matter.
Indeed, the law has to be respected. No exception is made even for the president of the country because the virus does not care who one is. Until 2 February 2021, only two active cases in the New Zealand community were recorded [health.gov.my]. Indeed, New Zealand has managed to flatten the COVID-19 curve. Shops, restaurants, cinemas, gyms are allowed to open for business again. The rules are adhered to by the economic sector. If we were to adopt the same mentality, perhaps we might be able to beat the pandemic again as well.
Indeed, not only are New Zealanders law-compliant, they have been proven to be Islamic–compliant as well. This has been discussed in an experts consultation organised by the Institute of Islamic Understanding (IKIM) on 22 December 2020 entitled “New Zealand is the Most Islamic Country: How about Malaysia?”
Indeed, New Zealand has been named the country most in line with Islamic teachings. In the 2019 Islamic City Index (ICI), it topped the list of countries followed by Sweden, Iceland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland. Malaysia, on the other hand, dropped four notches to 47th place.
The ICI, which was founded by the Islamic City Foundation based in the United States, measures the government’s compliance with the principles of Islamic teachings as stated in the Holy Qur’an. This includes complying with interest-free financing, educational equality, property rights, animal rights, and others. New Zealand scored high marks in all the categories including anti-corruption laws and provisions to reduce poverty. In terms of Islamic fundamental values on integrity and consensus, New Zealand does very well. Speaking the truth to the government is a fundamental aspect of Islam, yet not all Muslim countries allow such a right.
The ICI was developed by Hossein Askari. Born in Iran but has spent most of his life in the US, Askari is an economist with a Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He teaches at universities in the US, and has served on the executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to Askari, the index should be seen as a benchmark rather than an allegation.
Whether one succeeds in flattening the pandemic COVID-19 curve depends on the attitude of the people and politicians in the country as the virus does not know its victims. Significant differences are shown between the US and New Zealand. While the US has totalled 26.26 million positive cases thus far, New Zealand only has recorded two. Although the USA is a country with technological sophistication and boasts the biggest economy, it is still unable to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, all because of the attitude of its people and politicians.