A lesson for all - Perak MB on fine for deputy health minister and exco

Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the Gerik Magistrate's Court's decision to fine Deputy Health Minister Noor Azmi Ghazali and state exco member Razman Zakaria should serve as a lesson to comply with the movement control order (MCO).

"I hope everyone will abide by the MCO. We must realise this is done solely for the people's interest so that the Covid-19 chain of infection can be broken.

"The matter should not be politicised as action has been taken.

"This should serve as a lesson to seriously comply with the MCO," Ahmad Faizal (photo) said in a statement today.

Earlier today, both Noor Azmi and Razman pleaded guilty to violating the MCO.

The duo landed in trouble after Noor Azmi Ghazali posted a series of photographs on his Facebook page of him and his entourage visiting a religious school in Lenggong on April 17.

In the pictures, he is depicted handing out goods to several people. About 20 people were also shown eating together without social distancing measures, including the deputy minister and Perak exco.

However, the posts have since been deleted on Facebook but the screenshots of the postings continue to make its rounds on social media.

Both Noor Azmi and Razman have apologised.

They escaped a jail sentence and received the maximum fine of RM1,000.

Under Section 7(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Disease (Measures Within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020, a person violating the MCO can be fined up to RM1,000 or imprisoned up to six months or both.

The MCO first came into force on March 18 to contain the spread of Covid-19.

It is expected to end on May 12, after three extensions.

Under the MCO, all non-essential businesses and services were ordered closed and people cannot leave their homes except for emergencies, approved work, and for essential needs such as medication and buying groceries within a 10km radius.

Ahmad Faizal said he hopes the duo will continue serving the people.

"I hope the deputy health minister and the state exco can continue with their responsibilities and serve the country and state in accordance with the law," he said.

He added that the action against the two of them showed that the judicial system was independent and acted against offenders regardless of status. - Mkini