PM says no one above the law, leaves it to authorities to probe Khairuddin

COVID-19 | Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today broke his silence on the case of cabinet minister Khairuddin Aman Razali breaching the Covid-19 quarantine order, saying he is leaving the matter to the enforcement authorities.

Citing that no one is exempted from the law, he said it is up to the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action.

"The government is aware and views the allegation seriously against Plantation, Industries and Commodities Minister Khairuddin Aman Razali for violating the quarantine order after returning from Turkey on July 7.

"The Perikatan Nasional government holds the principle that all Malaysians are subjected to the country's laws, and no one is above it.

"Thus, I leave it to the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and take action according to the process of law," he added in a statement today.

Khairuddin's trip to Turkey from July 2 to 7 was first raised by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in the Dewan Rakyat last Tuesday.

It had since drawn the anger of many members of the public, including netizens who then started calling for action to be taken against the PAS MP for Kuala Nerus.

However, the Health Ministry, in a statement on Saturday, said the minister was fined on Aug 7, which several netizens found suspicious.

Khairuddin had also issued a separate statement on the same day, saying that he apologised for the incident and vowed to donate four months of his ministerial salary.

This had led to more criticisms of the government for allegedly giving Khairuddin a slap on the wrist compared to other cases involving ordinary Malaysian citizens.

Calls for the government to take stern action also came from politicians within the Perikatan Nasional government, including Umno Youth exco member Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris.

Wan Muhammad said Khairuddin's pledge was insufficient and that he should resign.

Deputy Health Minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali had on Friday said that there would be no double standards when it comes to punishing those who flout the Covid-19 standard operating procedure. - Mkini