Kedah MB fined over test-drive – 40 days later

 

Screenshots of the video taken by the woman who claimed that the menteri besar had test-driven a RM211,000 pick-up truck.

GEORGE TOWN: Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has been hit with a fine over an alleged MCO violation related to a viewing and test driving of a pick-up truck in Juru last month, police said.

Bukit Aman criminal investigation department chief Abdul Jalil Hassan said the amount of fine has yet to be disclosed as per high profile cases, but it was up to the alleged offender to accept it and pay the fine or fight it in court.

“We have sent the compound to that person (Sanusi) as instructed by the prosecutor’s office.

“In past VIP cases, such as Neelofa (Noor Neelofa Mohd Nor) and Siti Nurhaliza (Taruddin), we have done it the same way and it’s up to them if they want to fight it in court,” he said when asked about the quantum of fine that was offered.

Jalil said the fines are ultimately decided by the health ministry as the powers to compound MCO offences are invested in them under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

On June 5, a woman took to Facebook saying she spotted the menteri besar and his two aides test driving a RM211,000 pick-up truck at Juru Auto City.

The menteri besar has since denied test driving the vehicle, saying he was merely driven around by a salesman.

Nini Siron, 36, had taken photos and videos of the MB’s arrival at a Ford dealership at Juru Auto City, and later uploaded them onto Facebook. She lodged a police report the same day, which was the basis of a police investigation against Sanusi, as test drives are not allowed during the MCO.

The housewife had also lodged another report on cyberbullying and threats hurled against her by Sanusi’s supporters on Facebook. He said the matter would also be investigated.

Nini has been attacked online by those who claimed that she was slandering the menteri besar, with pictures of her family and her son being disseminated online. The MB has had his statement taken by Bukit Mertajam police.

In explaining what took place, Sanusi said the incident took place by chance when he was on his way to Kuala Lumpur for a meeting.

He said he had stopped to buy “bread and water” at a RM2 shop at Juru Auto City and chanced upon a Ford showroom next door and struck up a conversation with a salesman there.

Sanusi then took up the salesman’s offer to go on a short drive in the pick-up truck around the area and later left for KL.

He was upset that Nini did not seek clarification before posting on Facebook, but promised to pay any fine meted out to him or the salesman if he was found guilty.

He was also quoted as promising to buy Nini a new and better mobile phone so she could record footage that was “beneficial”. - FMT