KUALA LUMPUR – Senior Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, his family, and General Operations Force (GOF) personnel stationed at his residence will be summoned by police to give their statements over claims of standard operating procedure violations on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
In a widely shared Facebook post purportedly by Azmin’s sister, Ummi Hafilda Ali, she alleged that members of the family violated the interstate travel ban to celebrate Raya together.
The owner of the Facebook account will be called up for questioning as well.
It is alleged that the violations took place about 8am on Thursday at Azmin’s official residence in Presint 10, Putrajaya.
Ummi Hafilda purportedly questioned the presence of Azmin’s children and their spouses at the home.
The post carried a photo that Azmin had uploaded to his social media channels, showing him in a video call with family members.
A police report on the matter was lodged at 3pm yesterday.
In a statement today, Putrajaya police chief Mohd Fadzil Ali said initial investigations showed that the Raya celebration and banquet were participated by family members living at Azmin’s official residence.
“Statements given by personnel at the residence’s control post said there was no movement of guests in and out of the Putrajaya residence on May 13, as alleged in the Facebook post.
“However, Azmin, his family, GOF personnel stationed at his residence, and the owner of the Ummi Hafilda Ali Facebook page will be called up to give their statements to facilitate investigations.”
The nationwide movement control order prohibits interstate and inter-district travel, even for Raya.
Just three days ago, Azmin’s quarantine status courted scrutiny after he was seen out in public despite having just recently returned from an official trip to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said Azmin’s actions raises questions as the latter was recorded visiting the Putrajaya police station on Monday, when he had yet to complete his 14-day quarantine.
A report by The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal Getaran said Azmin’s actions have been rapped by netizens as unfair, especially to common folk who are subjected to the SOPs set by the government.
The issue has sparked debate among many, not only due to the minister’s dubious quarantine status, but also the fact that Covid-19 cases are surging across Malaysia.
Azmin headed a trade and investment mission to Saudi Arabia and the UAE from April 26 to May 4. He also took the opportunity to perform the umrah.
On Monday, he tweeted about his visit to the district police headquarters in Putrajaya, raising eyebrows over his quarantine status.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba on February 8 announced that all cabinet members who undertake official trips overseas need only quarantine for three days, before the condition was tightened again due to rising anxiety over the coronavirus.
The government on Monday announced the reinstatement of a 14-day quarantine for everyone entering Malaysia from Singapore, after the period had been reduced to just one week. – The Vibes, May 15, 2021
