Santhara is back, working remotely during 10-day quarantine

 

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Edmund Santhara Kumar Ramanaidu has returned to Malaysia after over 80 days in New Zealand.

The Segamat MP said he is currently undergoing 10 days of mandatory quarantine and working online.

"I returned to Malaysia last week and am undergoing mandatory quarantine as required by the Health Ministry," he told Malaysiakini.

"Right now I'm carrying out my duties online through Zoom meetings, WhatsApp, video calls and others," Santhara (above) said, adding that face-to-face meetings will only be initiated after his quarantine ends.

His boss, Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa, told The Vibes that Santhara would be in quarantine until March 29.

This would mean that he arrived in Malaysia on Saturday, 86 days after he underwent quarantine in New Zealand on Dec 24.

The deputy minister previously obtained 55 days' leave - including unpaid leave - to be with his family in New Zealand.

Santhara had said his wife was sick and that he had not seen his child for over a year.

His presence in New Zealand had raised questions on whether he received preferential treatment to get a slot in the country's quarantine scheme. Wellington denied this. 

The Kiwi government, however, declined to disclose whether or not Santhara had a permanent residentship in New Zealand, citing respect for privacy.  - Mkini