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Gobind savours Vaisakhi with family but heart still with constituents

Joyous shouts and laughter filled the air at Gobind Singh Deo’s residence.

The former Communications and Multimedia Minister had last night cooked saag (mashed spinach), a traditional Punjabi dish best served with chapatis. And while spending time with his family and cooking, he has been kept busy on the phone ensuring food is delivered to his needy constituents in Puchong.

That has been Gobind’s life since the political upheaval in late February which saw the 22-month-old Pakatan Harapan government crumble and replaced by Perikatan Nasional. Politics, however, has since taken a backseat as the attention has been on battling the Covid-19 pandemic which saw the Movement Control Order (MCO) kicking in on March 18.

Right after leaving the ministry, the renowned lawyer returned to practise but it was far from the normal life he thought he knew.

“The last few weeks we have all been focused on the MCO and how it will affect individual homes,” said Gobind, who is Puchong MP.

“There have been many requests from all over Puchong for financial assistance and food. We have our own data collected over the past 10 years thanks to the contacts we established with residents’ associations and joint management bodies and it is through these groups we get information on who needs help.”

Gobind and his team wasted no time in providing assistance to the needy, thanks to contributions by well-wishers and the support of supermarkets and marts in the area.

“We started three weeks ago, soon after the MCO was enforced, and we have been delivering food every week since. We have been working with some of the marts and supermarkets for many years so it was easy to connect with them and get foodstuff like rice and biscuits, among others.”

With the Selangor government still led by Pakatan Harapan, Gobind said it is easier to work with the local councillors to get things moving. He also stressed that it is important to abide by the order to stay at home to help flatten the Covid-19 curve.

Parliament is set to convene on May 18 but the possibility of a further MCO extension has not been ruled out by some.

To that, Gobind said: “Of course there are constitutional provisions. I read suggestions that it can be done online. After all, we will reach a point where we will start doing many more things online … in a more convenient fashion but in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, in safe fashion.”

Access to technology is something Gobind speaks passionately about. After all, during his brief stay in Putrajaya, he implemented several initiatives, including reducing the cost of high-speed broadband, setting up the Media Council after decades of waiting, and pushing for 5G mobile technology.

But this time around, Gobind’s access to the gurdwara and meeting the Punjabi community in conjunction with Vaisakhi had been cut due to the MCO.

“I’ve not been at home for many years during Vaisakhi because of the many events but this year I’m spending time with my family. I’ve been kept busy in the kitchen too,” he said, adding he had cooked saag for the family.

“Over the past 21 months I was a minister and completely focused on my job, resulting in not spending time with my family, my mum.

“We want to spend time with those dear to us but work always tends to come first and over time, we realise we have neglected that role (of caring for the family).”

Gobind is reminded of what his late father, political stalwart Karpal Singh, had once said.

“He told me I must spend time with the children. They grow up very fast and the next thing you know, they will lead their own lives. These growing up years are important and it’s something we should all think about.”

And he extends his Vaisakhi greeting to those celebrating the birth of the Khalsa today.

“Have a very happy and blessed Vaisakhi with your loved ones.”