Don't let Khairuddin off the hook on a 'technicality' - MCA

 

MCA has called for Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Khairuddin Aman Razali not to be let off the hook for allegedly breaching quarantine on basis of a “technical error”.

“We cannot jail the common rakyat for breaching quarantine while ministers get off due to ‘technical errors’.

“There can be no ‘dua darjat’ (double standard on basis of rank), for we all are equal before the law,” MCA spokesperson Chan Quin Er (above) said in a statement last night.

Chan, who is a lawyer by profession, questioned the notion that a person only becomes a “person under surveillance” (PUS) when an authorised officer literally orders a person to undergo quarantine.

She pointed out that prior to Khairuddin’s overseas trip in July, the government had already made clear that all incoming travellers from abroad are considered PUS and must undergo a 14-day quarantine unless otherwise exempted.

“You do not only become a PUS upon being given a copy of Form 14B; you are automatically one if you enter or re-enter Malaysia from abroad. If Khairuddin falls under any exemption from compulsory quarantine, the authorities must be able to point out which.

“Otherwise, this sets a dangerous precedent where any PUS, who the authorities forget to issue Form 14B to, can breach quarantine without consequences,” she said.

Chan also questioned why Khairuddin was slapped with an RM1,000 compound for the alleged breach under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), with the authorities claiming that no rule was broken.

Khairuddin had visited Turkey on July 3 and returned to Malaysia on July 7. Following that, he did not undergo a 14-day quarantine, like other returning travellers, but instead attended many public events.

This included a parliamentary session and events at the National Palace.

Khairuddin Aman Razali

He was issued a compound fine of RM1,000, dated Aug 7 for the alleged breach, but Health Ministry director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has sidestepped questions on whether the compound was backdated.

Nevertheless, Noor Hisham said the incident should serve as a reminder for medical frontliners to comply with the government’s own standard operating procedures.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers said that following investigations, it was found that Khairuddin had undergone a health inspection at Kuala Lumpur International Airport upon his return from abroad.

He tested negative for Covid-19 and was allowed to return home, but was not issued a Form 14B and was not ordered to undergo home surveillance as per Section 15(1) of Act 342.

"Accordingly, based on the above consideration, the AGC has decided to not proffer any charge against the minister due to insufficient evidence and thus fails to meet the required burden of proof under the law," it added.

Chan said classifying Khairuddin’s case as “no further action” does not necessarily signal the end of the matter.

“As of Aug 23, a total of 27 police reports have been made against Khairuddin. Appeals against the decision for NFA can still be made to the Prosecution Division of the AGC, either through the state level or directly to the AGC’s head office in Putrajaya,” she said. - Mkini