Opposition politicians and netizens have panned the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC)'s decision to take “no further action” on Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Khairuddin Aman Razali for breaching home quarantine.
The AGC confirmed earlier today that the minister would not face charges.
PKR Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir contrasted the decision with how a technician at an engineering firm was recently jailed 14 days and fined RM1,000 for a similar breach of quarantine.
“The chance for Perikatan Nasional to prove it is a government that cares for the rakyat has crumbled.
“On the contrary, it is a proven popular opinion that PN is a kerajaan dua darjat (double standard government),” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, DAP Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang questioned if Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin did not use his “cane” on Khairuddin to avoid losing his government.
“Where is Abah’s (Muhyiddin’s nickname) cane? Muhyiddin declared that there were no double standards in Covid-19 quarantine rules.
“Muhyiddin was right. There are no double standards but there are triple standards with PAS ministers put on a special pedestal in the Perikatan Nasional government.
“The withdrawal of PAS support at a time when the Umno leadership is mulling over support of the PN government would lead to its immediate downfall,” he remarked.
Shortly after Bukit Aman and the AGC both confirmed they were dropping the controversial case, the phrases “Khairuddin”, “no further action”, and “double standard” began trending on Malaysian Twitter, indicating many were discussing the decision.
Like Akmal, Twitter user Ezzaty Hasbullah questioned why ordinary citizens had to face the full brunt of the law but a minister did not.
Ding Jo-Ann zeroed in on the AGC’s explanation that there was “insufficient evidence” to charge Khairuddin as he was not issued a specific form ordering him to undergo home quarantine.
Similarly, Twitter users @Zaim90 and @natsumi both questioned what the AGC’s decision communicated about the application of the law.
Khairuddin’s offence was first brought to public attention on Aug 18.
Police then investigated the Kuala Nerus MP for failing to adhere to the compulsory 14-day home quarantine order after returning from an alleged work trip to Turkey on July 7.
When the Health Ministry revealed on Aug 22 it had fined the minister RM1,000 on Aug 7, questions were raised whether the fine was backdated to prevent Khairuddin from being charged in court.
Following public outcry and resignation calls, Khairuddin apologised and donated four months of his salary but maintained he did not err in his ministerial duties. - Mkini
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