[UPDATED] Sanusi under probe for allegedly test-driving car at dealership during lockdown

BUKIT MERTAJAM – Police will conduct an investigation into allegations that Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor flouted Covid-19 lockdown standard operating procedures by test-driving a car at a vehicle sale and exhibition centre at Autocity Juru here yesterday.

Seberang Prai Tengah police chief Shafee Abd Samad said the probe is being carried out in accordance with Section 269 of the Penal Code and Regulation 17(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures Within Local Infectious Areas) Regulations 2021.

“Police will call up everyone involved, including the menteri besar,” he told Bernama today.

Yesterday, social media was abuzz after photos and videos of a man, believed to be Sanusi, test-driving a car amid the lockdown were widely shared.

The SOPs state that vehicle sale and exhibition centres are not allowed to operate until June 14, when the lockdown is slated to end.

Sanusi’s political secretary, Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamuddin, in a Facebook post last night said his boss was not at the dealership specifically for a test drive, but was travelling to Kuala Lumpur on an urgent matter, and was accompanied by a driver and a police officer.

“From Alor Star, they stopped at Juru to buy some food as the rest stops along the highway were closed. Coincidentally, the eatery was near a Ford showroom. The showroom was closed.

“A salesman was positioning a Ford Ranger outside the showroom, so the MB just took a look. Not that he was interested in buying, but just having a look. If he had sneaked in to have a look, it would appear weird to onlookers. 

“Even though the showroom was closed, the salesman was polite and served whoever came along, while moving the car. He knows he cannot do business because of movement control order SOPs.”

Afnan Hamimi said after buying food, Sanusi was back on the road heading to the federal capital.

“That Ford Ranger remained in Juru, it didn’t follow him. There was no test drive.”

Sanusi said he will leave it to police to investigate, and that he does not want to elaborate on the matter.

“Wait for the police investigation to conclude, no comments for now.

“I don’t know what’s the purpose of the individual who spread this. I was just looking at the car outside the showroom,” he told Getaran, The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal, today. – The Vibes, June 6, 2021