Khairuddin cleared, AGC classifies case as 'NFA'

 

The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has decided not to take action against Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Khairuddin Aman Razali for breaching the compulsory Covid-19 quarantine order, according to Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Huzir Mohamed.

"The investigation papers were sent to the AGC and the instruction was 'NFA' (no further action) because the minister was not provided with the 14B form to undergo quarantine," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Based on the absence of any "concrete statement", he said the AGC decided not to charge the minister.

Huzir added the AGC believes there is no strong evidence for the prosecution of the minister.

Khairuddin was probed for violating the quarantine order after returning from a semi-official work trip to Turkey in July.

In August, the Health Ministry slapped an RM1,000 fine on the Kuala Nerus MP.

On Sept 30, Huzir said the AGC had instructed the police to take "several more actions" on the investigation and expressed hope that "the police would be able to fulfil the instructions soon".

On Oct 7, Malaysiakini reported that the police had resubmitted the investigation papers to the AGC.

After being fined, the minister had come forward to apologise and pledged to contribute three months of his salary starting March to the Covid-19 fund.

The government's failure to take action against him sparked criticism from various quarters who accused the government of practising double standards.

Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak also suggested that Khairuddin be taken to court to stop the opposition from harping on the issue.

For the record, Khairduddin has been adamant that he did not do anything wrong.

In August, when asked to comment on his case, the PAS leader said: "I did not do anything wrong in regard to my job, it only involved an error over the issue of the standard operating procedure."

"I have my own view but I will let the police (to probe). The Health Ministry had also issued a statement. For me, it's solved, although I have my own view," he added. - Mkini