A few days ago, the authorities announced that certain home-based businesses would not be able to operate during the circuit breaker (CB).
According to HDB, if the owner has to leave the premises or have third-party services deliver the goods, the business would have to cease operations.
This affected even Carousell sellers and home-based bakeries.
At the time, it seemed like the announcement was prompted by a Berita Harian report on 25 April that said food vendors were not supposed to operate from home during the CB period if it involved delivery services.
Some, however, believed it was all caused by one social-media influencer.
Actress Who Was Accused of ‘Baotu-ing’ Home Businesses Responded in an Interview
Former actress and social media influencer Ateeqah Mazlan has been accused of snitching on home-based businesses to the authorities during the circuit breaker.
Before the announcement, Ateeqah shared a video on her Facebook page of herself making calls to the Singapore authorities to ask if home-based businesses were allowed to run during the CB period.
In a call with HDB towards the end of the video, Ateeqah received confirmation that certain home-based businesses would not be allowed to continue operating during the CB period.
In the video, she said she felt “sorry” for some of these businesses and advised home-based bakeries that made kuehs and other such items to keep them until June so they can sell it later on.
The video has since been taken down, but others have posted it online:
Netizens’ Reaction
Even though it’s not certain if the video led to the announcement of the new home-based businesses rule, netizens took to social media to condemn her anyway.
Oh Ateeqah Mazlan,
I know you're well to do because ive known you for decades. We're unlike you. This is a pandemic. Alot of people turn to small scale businesses to get by this tough time.
Its okay to clarify, but your approach is so wrong that it affects thousands of people.
— Adilla Ramli (@DILLAFAFILLA) April 25, 2020
Many pointed out that some home-based businesses would lose their only source of income as a result of the new rule.
She has come under fire from the Malay-Muslim community in Singapore, in particular.
@eeqanoemi You caused alot of ppl who are struggling to survive this Pandemic, lose their only source of income. All because you had to stick your nose where it DOES NOT BELONG.
How blackhearted can someone be to do this in the month of Ramadhan?! #ateeqahmazlan pic.twitter.com/uQM8wvWIzR
— T H E R E I N Z E E (@thereinzee) April 24, 2020
ateeqah mazlan could've just minded her own business but no she chose to snitch on home-based sellers just to bring down those who are trying to make a living. you just gained a fast yet cheap popularity
— ???? ??♀️? (@raranaomiko) April 25, 2020
ateeqah mazlan really be the epitome of melayu makan melayu, and that’s it. for her to stop home-based business out of petty and ‘concern’ during the CB is just as stupid as queuing up for bubble tea the day before operation’s being ceased.
— zatanna (@haciyahyahyah) April 25, 2020
In response, Ateeqah later took down her Facebook and Instagram pages, but defended herself on Twitter.
FITNAH. You guys can point out the time stamp of my “viral video” where I “pauto” to HDB? ? like clear cut I pauto. @Pengkritique u boleh point out since u dah buat article tu?
— Ateeqah Mazlan (@eeqanoemi) April 25, 2020
Her point here about the “timestamp” is that it’s not clear when exactly she posted the video, which is why we can’t really say that she’s the one who prompted the authorities to make the announcement.
But now…
Apology on FB
Later, in an interview with reporter and personality Sujimy Mohamad on his live show, Ateeqah apologised and attempted to explain her actions.
Ateeqah’s segment begins at 11 minutes 30 seconds and ends at 22 minutes 19 seconds.
The video has over 300,000 views, either because Singaporeans are really interested in this matter or they have nothing to do during the circuit breaker.
In the interview, which was conducted in Malay, Ateeqah explained that she called up the authorities about the issue for two main reasons:
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- To satisfy her own curiosity and help other home-based business owners out as they were also confused about the existing regulations
- To see if she could start a home-based bakery of her own where she would sell brownies
She also apologised to anyone who has been affected by her actions.
Some Are Unconvinced
Some are unconvinced by Ateeqah’s apology and explanation, however, as one acquaintance claims Ateeqah texted her about the matter earlier, saying the real reason she called the authorities was because she was worried about cross-contamination.
Forgive and Forget?
Even if Ateeqah’s video did lead to the announcement of the new rule, she certainly doesn’t deserve some of the comments she’s getting.
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In her interview, Ateeqah claimed some netizens openly said they wanted to throw acid on her face, attack her family, and some even shared pictures of her child.
The ateeqah mazlan saga just shows how disappointing some malays can be… and I’m not just talking about her, because she isn’t fully in the wrong, I’m talking about yall who curse the shit out of her and even, disgustingly enough, threaten her family. Shame on you people
— . . (@_farishaziq_) April 28, 2020
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Everyone makes mistakes, but the unfortunate ones happen to make them online, where people never forget.
The thing is, we don’t even know if she is the reason many home-based businesses have to cease operations, so it’s not really fair to attack her so harshly.
But even if she did, do you think she deserves all the hate she’s getting?