DEPUTY Health Minister Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali and Perak executive councillor Razman Zakaria did not break the movement-control order (MCO) but violated its standard operating procedure (SOP), said Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
They did not violate the MCO because their positions as elected representatives allowed them to visit and help the needy during the partial lockdown, he said at the daily press conference on Covid-19 security measures.
“No one is above the law. In this case we are being fair to all. The deputy minister and Perak exco were only fined because their charges were different.”
“They did not violate the MCO but rather, they did not follow the SOP.
“The offence committed was that they did not adhere to the SOP, for instance, not observing social distancing.
Others who were both fined and jailed, however, were also charged under the Penal Code, Ismail Sabri, who is the National Security Council spokesman, said.
“For instance, they obstructed a public servant from carrying his duties,” he said in reference to individuals who fought or resisted the police at roadblocks.
Ismail Sabri was asked why certain individuals were only fined for violating the MCO while others were jailed for similar offences.
Yesterday, Noor Azmi and Razman pleaded guilty and were fined RM1,000 each at the magistrate’s court in Gerik to charges under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020 (Regulation).
The charge sheet states that they had gathered in an infected area for a social purpose, and in doing so, breached the MCO.
Both of them had performed prayers and eaten a meal with other people at a tahfiz school in Lenggong on April 17 after visiting the Hulu Perak district health office.
Noor Azmi, who is Bagan Serai MP, and Gunung Semanggol assemblyman Razman had come under fire over photos of them, along with some 30 other people, tucking into a meal at a tahfiz school.
In the case of Klang MP Charles Santiago, however, the Pakatan Harapan elected representative was quizzed by police for allegedly violating the MCO. He was also told that his action of distributing food needed a police permit, which the Social Welfare Department has denied.
In another case, a single mother was jailed 30 days’ for violating the MCO but secured her release today after lawyers successfully obtained a review of her sentence to a RM1,000 fine only.
To date, 21,749 individuals have been detained for MCO-related offences, and 947 people have been charged in court. – April 29, 2020.
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Comments
MCO is law, SOP is just guidelines. How do you penalise someone on SOP!
You've done well handling and communicating during MCO. This just turned you back into a joke. Just apologise and pay the fine. What's the issue? Why the need to give more excuses!
Posted 6 years ago by CS Lee · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by KNN ... · Reply
Those who broke the law will most likely be infected but those who do not follow the SOP are safe.
What a load of crap and bullshit!
Posted 6 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply
Posted 6 years ago by Chai Hin Goh · Reply