SEBERANG PRAI – Penang police have taken statements from five individuals as part of their investigation into allegations that Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor took a vehicle for a test drive at Autocity Juru on Friday.
Seberang Prai Tengah police chief Shafee Abd Samad told Astro Awani that the probe is ongoing and investigation papers will be submitted to the public prosecutor’s office upon completion.
“We have taken statements from five people and will approach the Kedah MB for his statement.”
It was reported that police will quiz Sanusi later today.
The investigation is being carried out under 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.
Social media was abuzz after photos and videos of a man, believed to be Sanusi, test-driving a vehicle amid the Covid-19 lockdown were widely shared.
The standard operating procedures 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 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 has 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. – The Vibes, June 7, 2021
