KUALA LUMPUR – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin insists there are no double standards when it comes to punishing those who flout Covid-19 standard operating procedures.
Using himself as an example, the prime minister said he is undergoing a 14-day self-quarantine at home after Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, who was present at a National Security Council meeting chaired by Muhyiddin recently, tested positive for the coronavirus.
“As the prime minister, I’m not exempt from the need to abide by the SOPs. This is the second time I’m undergoing quarantine at home since the Covid-19 pandemic began. I must follow the rules,” he said in a live address to the nation today.
He said seven ministers and six deputy ministers who were at the meeting are also under quarantine, adding that action will be taken against them if they breach the rules.
“Covid-19 does not recognise rank or degree. This virus can infect anybody. Therefore, everyone, including the authorities, must abide by the SOPs.”
He admitted that the Sabah election on September 26 may be the reason for the spike in infections nationwide.
“The election was called after the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah dissolved the state assembly on July 30. It was inevitable that an election had to be called no later than 60 days after the dissolution.
“It was not something that we could postpone.”
Although the Election Commission had formulated SOPs to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during the polls campaign period, he said, some people did not adhere to the rules.
“Take, for example, social distancing. I try not to walk in crowds, and I always tell people to maintain social distancing. I also did not campaign in red zones.” – The Vibes, October 6, 2020
