KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin may have returned from Jakarta about a month ago, but the controversy surrounding his official trip continues.
In his statement of claim filed today against Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi, the Pagoh MP said that a Health Ministry (MoH) officer told him he need not wear the pink wristband that marks persons under quarantine nor undergo the requisite 10-day isolation.
The prime minister made an official visit to Jakarta to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo on February 4.
Upon his return the next day, his entourage was immediately escorted by MoH personnel to a special room for swab tests.
“Then, a MoH officer informed the plaintiff (Muhyiddin) that he did not have to be quarantined or wear the surveillance bracelet in deference to the plaintiff’s position as prime minister,” said the statement of claim.
But when he saw other members from his entourage getting fitted with the bracelet, Muhyiddin told the MoH staff that he had better get one as well.
“The MoH officer then informed the plaintiff that should he wish to be quarantined, he needed only be quarantined for three days.
“The plaintiff disagreed as he was aware the rest of his entourage was required to be quarantined for seven days.
“The plaintiff requested to be on home quarantine for the same period, which is in line with the instructions given by the health director-general,” said the statement of claim.
Muhyiddin’s defamation suit against Puad comes after the prime minister’s letter of demand on February 16 for Puad to remove a Facebook post, issue a public apology, provide a written undertaking that he will refrain from making similar posts against the prime minister, and pay a compensation of RM10 million.
One of the assertions made in Puad’s post concerns a gazetted ordinance stating that ministers returning from overseas trips need only observe a three-day quarantine, as opposed to the usual 10 days.
Puad allegedly suggested that the rule was made because Muhyiddin refused to undergo isolation after an overseas trip to Jakarta. – The Vibes, March 1, 2021
