KUALA LUMPUR – Following a spate of allegations concerning his whereabouts, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Edmund Santhara Kumar has confirmed that he was on leave for 55 days to visit family in New Zealand.
Santhara said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin approved his leave application on December 18 last year.
This was for the period from December 28 to March 20 this year.
The Segamat MP said he adhered to all regulations set by the Immigration Department, including obtaining a travel permit through the MyTravelPass app.
“The reason behind me going to New Zealand was to visit my children, who are studying overseas.
“As a responsible father, I have to meet my 9-year-old child after being absent for one year,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Santhara added his wife is also suffering health complications.
“I left the country before the (second) movement control order (MCO) was announced, after attending all parliamentary sessions,” he said.
He added he will not hesitate to take legal action against those making defamatory statements against him.
A PKR lawmaker had on Saturday questioned Santhara's whereabouts following a report alleging that he has been in New Zealand with his family since December.
Batu MP P. Prabakaran had urged Santhara to provide clarification on the allegation after it was reported by whistle-blower site Sarawak Report.
“According to Sarawak Report, Santhara was staying comfortably with his family in New Zealand as his children were studying there.”
Prabakaran then demanded Santhara quit as MP if the allegations were true.
Similar allegations were also made by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Facebook. – The Vibes, March 1, 2021
