Kelantan exco says wasn't informed about ribbon-cutting ceremony during MCO

Kelantan exco Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said he was not informed ahead when he was asked to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony during the movement control order (MCO).

He said this in response to viral images of the Temangan assemblyperson cutting a ribbon to officiate a disinfection tunnel at the Machang public market on April 12, with some present standing less than one metre apart.

"I was asked to officiate the special disinfection space at the Machang public market which is the first of its kind (for the area) and I am also the area's elected representative.

"I was not informed ahead that there would be a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It's a normal (to have ribbon-cutting) for an officiation.

"It's normal for there to be many people during a ceremony. There was social distancing but sometimes it couldn't be done as people were nearing each other," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

Earlier today, former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak did not mention names but urged those in the Perikatan Nasional government not to engage in ribbon-cutting ceremonies for "petty" things, claiming that it was a common practice during the previous Pakatan Harapan government.

 However, Fadzli declined to weigh into Najib's comment.

"I don't want to comment further as it is something normal," he said. - Mkini