KUALA LUMPUR – Calls have grown louder for celebrity Noor Neelofa Mohd Noor to be jailed for violating standard operating procedures under the movement control order (MCO) and conditional MCO (CMCO).
A change.org petition, titled “Langgar SOP: PDRM, Penjarakan Neelofa Segera” (SOP Breach: PDRM, Imprison Neelofa Immediately), describes the Kelantan-born actress as having breached the SOPs on various occasions, contributing to the hampering of national efforts to contain Covid-19.
“The offences, committed without any remorse, have caused the emergence of double-standard laws applied to her,” posted the petitioner, “Hentikan Double Standard”.
Among the SOP breaches mentioned in the petition are:
1. Neelofa and her husband Muhammad Haris Mohd Ismail’s wedding ceremony at the Grand Hyatt hotel in March 2021;
2. Honeymoon in Langkawi in March 2021;
3. Interstate travel to Nilai 3 to visit a carpet shop in May 2021; and,
4. Neelofa and her family members gathering at a house for Hari Raya Aidilfitri in May 2021.
“Based on these repeated offences, we demand that the government and police jail Neelofa immediately without compromise as a clear sign that the government does not practise double standards when it comes to VVIPs and celebrities,” said the petition.
The petition, which targets 35,000 signatures, had collected 28,000 at the time of writing.
Earlier today, Neelofa and Haris pleaded not guilty to violating CMCO standard operating procedures.
She was granted a RM5,000 bail by the Seremban magistrates’ court despite the prosecution applying for RM20,000, while Haris, who faces two charges, was granted a RM10,000 bail. The court set June 4 for remention.
During her court appearance, Neelofa, who dons the purdah, did not wear a mask – possibly yet another violation of the SOPs.
Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah last October said Muslim women wearing the niqab or purdah, which covers the face, must still wear a mask to prevent coronavirus infection.
Neelofa and her husband were charged under Regulation 19 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within Infected Local Areas) (Conditional Movement Control) (No.4) (Amendment) (No.12) Regulations 2021.
Haris’ two charges are for failing to scan the MySejahtera QR code or register manually at the carpet shop in Nilai, and for not wearing a mask in a public place, while Neelofa was charged with failing to comply with CMCO SOPs by not scanning the MySejahtera QR code or registering manually on the same premises.
On May 2, she uploaded photos and videos of her and her husband at the carpet store that quickly became viral. Two days later, the couple reportedly spent four hours at the Nilai police headquarters to have their statements recorded.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim said investigation papers on another SOP-flouting incident involving Neelofa – this time, her family’s Raya gathering – will be submitted to the Attorney-General’s Chambers soon.
“Raya visits are not allowed throughout the MCO, as set by the government.
“Anyone with information on SOP violations is requested to channel the information to Kuala Lumpur police at 03-2115-9999, or any police station,” he said in a statement yesterday.
On Tuesday, Neelofa and her family members were reported to have recorded their statements at the Brickfields police headquarters for allegedly having celebrated the first day of Raya together at a house in Pinggir Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail. Videos of the gathering also took social media by storm. – The Vibes, May 20, 2021
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