KUALA LUMPUR – Plantations Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali got off scot-free yesterday after the Attorney-General Chambers (AGC) decided to not pursue charges against him for allegedly flouting self-quarantine rules.
This was a two-month saga that began with Seputeh MP Teresa Kok revealing in the Dewan Rakyat that the Kuala Nerus MP flouted said laws by showing up in the Dewan Rakyat days after returning from Turkey.
But despite the outrage over double standards as many average Malaysians were receiving heftier sentences for the same crime, Khairuddin got a “No Further Action” (NFA) by the police on orders of the AGC.
Under the National Security Council’s (NSC) standard operating procedures (SOP), all returnees are tested on arrival and those with negative results must then serve out their 14-day quarantine, while those who test positive are sent to a hospital for further treatment.
A breach of this order is punishable under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 by up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction.
While this episode continues to baffle the public, The Vibes has decided to draw up a timeline of Khairuddin’s road to NFA in recognition of the many unanswered questions surrounding the minister’s actions:
August 18: Kok revealed in the Dewan Rakyat that Khairuddin did not undergo the full mandatory 14-day quarantine after returning to Malaysia from a visit to Turkey.
Khairuddin had gone on a trip to Turkey from July 3 to 7, yet attended Parliament on July 13, only six days later, she said.
Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer interjected and urged Parliament to act against the minister for possibly exposing others to Covid-19.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon asked both DAP MPs to write to him on the matter.
August 20: Kok upped the ante by claiming Khairuddin was accompanied by family and ministry officials.
She asked if those who went with him were also exempted from self-isolation upon returning home.
She also raised the fact that upon returning from his Turkey trip, Khairuddin’s social media entries showed that he had kept a busy schedule during his supposed quarantine period.
August 21: Khairuddin claimed to have taken three tests for Covid-19 ever since he returned from Turkey.
The first two tests were carried out when he touched down on July 7, and then 13 days later. He took the third test ahead of an event at Istana Negara on August 17. All three tests were negative.
August 22: Health Ministry says it issued an RM1,000 compound to Khairuddin on Aug 7.
“Under Act 342, the maximum compound for those who breached the guidelines and home surveillance order is RM1,000.
“Having said that, the police are probing the matter after a report was lodged,” said Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
The Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342) provides a maximum compound of RM1,000 against those who breach regulations and Home Surveillance Order (HSO).
Khairuddin apologised for breaching self-quarantine rules and vowed to return his May to August salaries by contributing the amount to the National Disaster Relief Fund for Covid-19.
August 24: During a parliamentary session, Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim defended Khairuddin, saying the minister went to Turkey to apparently “save the country” by bringing in RM82 billion in investments.
“The minister should be praised and not vilified,” Abdul Azeez was heard shouting as deputy speaker Rashid called for order.
Azeez’s remark would earn a refutation from Kok. She pointed out the total export revenue from commodities under Khairuddin’s ministry in 2019 was RM114.2 billion, of which palm oil and rubber contributed RM59 billion and RM28.1 billion, respectively.
Later, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba announced his ministry had closed the case on Khairuddin and were standing by the RM1,000 fine imposed on the latter.
August 25: Health Ministry director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah clarified that top ministry officials were in the dark about Khairuddin’s violation of home quarantine rules.
They only found out the week before through media reports, he said, adding that he himself only received the full report from an internal investigation a day before (August 24) the press conference. That report was submitted to the police.
August 26: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador says the police will be calling in witnesses to record their statements over Khairuddin’s actions.
“We will conduct a professional and transparent investigation into this,” he told reporters.
August 28: When met by reporters after the Slim River by-election campaign, Khairuddin said he was quizzed for three hours together with three family members, by the police and urged the public to allow enforcement officials to do their job.
On his trip to Turkey, Khairuddin said: “It was a semi-formal trip where I negotiated a project in Terengganu.”
September 30: By now, the case had been passed on by the police to the AGC. Bukit Aman CID director Commissioner Datuk Huzir Mohamed said the AGC had returned the investigation paper (IP) to the police with several recommendations for possible further action.
October 7: The police reportedly resubmitted to the AGC the IP on Khairuddin’s case. Bukit Aman CID deputy director Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said that the probe had yet to be concluded.
October 21: Police confirmed receiving an NFA order from the AGC. “The NFA instruction was made based on the statement the minister was not given the 14 (b) form under Section 15 (1) of the 342 Act on quarantine instructions,” Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Datuk Huzir Mohamed told a press conference.
AGC then clarified that Khairuddin had no case to answer because the health ministry officer did not issue a home surveillance order at the airport.
In a statement, the AGC said a home surveillance or observation order would have to be issued under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 or Act 342. – The Vibes, October 22, 2020
.jpg)
.jpeg)
