![[UPDATED] Not a crime: PM defends Hishammuddin over SOP breach](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/_large/10112020-KUL-hishammuddin_hussein_-vibes_pic.jpg)
KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is standing by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein despite calls for the minister’s resignation after breaching health standard operating procedures (SOPs) in Johor yesterday.
Ismail Sabri told reporters that there is no need to dismiss Hishammuddin from chairing the Covid-19 Quartet Ministerial Meeting as the SOP violation is not a crime.
“Violating the SOP is not a crime. Nothing to do with crime. MoH has issued compounds and if everyone issued a compound has to resign, I think no one can work,” he said, without denying that the SOPs are an important matter.
“Government officers, many government employees have been compounded, so do they all have to resign? There is no need.
“The important thing is that action is taken, which means that the government does not differentiate between individuals who commit offences. It can be a minister, deputy minister, head of department...it can be anyone.”
Yesterday, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh called for Hishammuddin’s resignation and condemned his actions after Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin fined the defence minister, caretaker Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, MIC president Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran, and other guests for violating SOPs.
Khairy had said other party leaders and event organisers will also be fined under Act 342 (Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act).
The venue was packed with people flouting physical distancing rules, as many took out their mobile phones to film the political leaders who made their way through the crowd.
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin yesterday acknowledged that “a wrong is a wrong”, even if it involves himself.
Referring to the event, for which he has been issued a compound, he said: “As far as I am concerned, if there was a breach of SOPs this time and there is intention to take action, I will welcome it.”
“A wrong is a wrong,” he told reporters in a video clip that was later shared on his Twitter account. – The Vibes, February 14, 2022
