PETALING JAYA: Two senior ministers denied flouting Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) after their recent antics drew wide criticism from netizens on social media.
Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who uploaded a photograph of himself on Twitter on Thursday (Jan 28) walking along side former DBKL director-general Datuk Dr Noordin Abdul Razak and former Kelantan Football Association treasurer Datuk Nik Aminaldin Jaafar, drew flak for not wearing a face mask and observing physical distancing.
The men were depicted walking leisurely side-by-side in a housing area without face masks.
"This photograph gave rise to criticism over the SOP...I understand the comments were based on this photograph.
"In reality, the both of them were doing brisk walking on their own.
“It was a coincidence that we bumped into each at the junction of Jln Setia Bakti," he posted on Twitter on Friday (Jan 29).
Annuar added that the three of them went separate ways soon after that and continued on with their respective walk.
Outdoor activities like running and exercising is allowed under the current movement control order but subject to physical distancing.
Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan was chided by netizens who claimed he was given preferential treatment to visit the Batu Caves Hindu temple during Thaipusam on Thursday (Jan 28).
A viral video showed a maskless Saravanan receiving a garland by a welcoming committee when he arrived at the temple.
This caused an uproar as Hindu devotees were prohibited from gathering at the temple for the annual celebrations due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Defending his actions, Saravanan said he was invited by the temple management committee to visit the temple as he had assisted them in ensuring the celebrations were held without the usual throng of devotees.
He said that police he given the green light for his visit which was also closely monitored by the authorities to ensure compliance with the SOP.
He said that he had taken off his face mask briefly and put it back on after being presented with the garland.
The National Security Council decided in a special meeting on Jan 18 that Thaipusam celebrations for this year will not be allowed to be held at any temple.
Following this decision, the Sri Maha Mariamman temple management submitted an application for an exemption to allow the chariot to travel to the Sri Subramaniam temple in Batu Caves and back.
NSC approved the application on the condition that no one is allowed to follow or accompany the chariot throughout its journey to Batu Caves and back.
The annual journey of the chariot bearing the statue of Lord Murugan from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam here to Batu Caves proceeded without a hitch on Thursday (Jan 28). - Star
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