MAHFUZ Omar (Pokok Sena-PH) today likened the difference in punishments meted out to civilians and a minister for violating Covid-19 self-quarantine rules to the 1960 classic P. Ramlee film Antara Dua Darjat (Between two classes). 

Questioning the double standards in the penalties in the Dewan Rakyat today, the Amanah lawmaker asked Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Redzuan Yusof if the government is protecting the minister involved while imposing heavier punishments on civilians.

“The people see this as an enforcement between two classes like P. Ramlee and S. Kadarisman.

“It looks as if civilians like the lady with the pink wristband and Salleh (of the Sivagangga cluster) were punished but the minister was protected with a fine of RM1,000 when his violation was 10 times worse,” Mahfuz said when asking a supplementary question.

Plantation, Industries, and Commodities Minister Khairuddin Aman Razali violated quarantine rules after returning from Turkey in July.

The issue only came to light when exposed by his predecessor and DAP lawmaker Teresa Kok.

Khairuddin was only fined RM1,000 on August 7.

In contrast, the Salleh mentioned by Mahfuz is the nasi kandar restaurant owner in the Kedah Covid-19 cluster, who was sentenced to five months’ jail and fined RM12,000 for violating his quarantine.

Another civilian punished is a woman in Perak who was photographed at an eatery wearing her pink quarantine wristband. She was sentenced to one day in jail and fined RM8,000 on August 14.

Khairuddin has received flak from social media users and a petition calling for his resignation has also been started.

In the Dewan, Abdul Azeez Rahim (Baling-BN) interjected Mahfuz with an attempt to downplay Khairuddin’s violation, saying the minister should be praised instead as he had gone to Turkey to bring in investments worth billions of ringgit.

Responding to Mahfuz, Redzuan said there are no double standards in the punishments. 

“The government upholds the law. There are no double standards. The minister accused has paid compound as per the law.”

Khairuddin attended several events as well as Dewan Rakyat proceedings after his return from Turkey.

To atone, the PAS lawmaker said he would donate four months of his salary to the government’s Covid-19 fund.

But former health minister and Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad told reporters later that he should not whitewash his offence.

“Don’t try to (cover it up) by donating four months’ salary. That is not the issue. 

“If a leader does not set a good example, don’t expect citizens to follow the standard operating procedure,” Dzulkefly, the Kuala Selangor MP, told a press conference at the Parliament lobby. – August 24, 2020.