MCO fines up to judges, says minister after Zahid’s daughter gets off lightly

Alfian Z.M. Tahir Alfian Z.M. Tahir Updated 6 years ago · Published on 6 May 2020 3:10PM · 7 Comments

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob says the federal government does not meddle in punishments meted by the courts as controversy came about after a politician’s daughter was handed a lighter sentence. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, May 6, 2020.

PUTRAJAYA has no say in the sentences meted out by the courts in cases linked to violations of the movement control order (MCO), said Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The senior minister said judges and magistrates have the discretion to decide on the punishment.

“It is up to the judges or magistrates to decide the type pf punishment. Some will get RM800 fine while some get RM1,000 fine with a jail term.

“The government is not involved in the sentencing and has no say in this matter. We don’t meddle in the judiciary,” he said during his daily press conference in Putrajaya today.

His comments come after social media users criticised the RM800 fine against Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s daughter, Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid and her husband, after the couple pleaded guilty for breaching the MCO.

Malaysians have questioned the judiciary and compared Nurulhidayah’s case to a single mother who had to pay a RM1,000 fine for a similar offence.

The woman was initially jailed but had her sentence reversed.

Yesterday, Magistrate Shah Wira Abdul Halim fined Nurulhidayah and Saiful Nizam Mohd Yusoff RM800 each for breaching the MCO last month in Putrajaya.

Both pled guilty after they were charged under Regulation 3(1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act for travelling from Jalan Batu Nyaman Country Heights in Kajang, to the Environmental Department office in Putrajaya on April 20.

The maximum penalty for the offence is a RM1,000 fine or six months in jail, or both.

The couple broke the MCO on April 20 to call on Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri, followed by Deputy Environment and Water Minister Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad at their offices in the administrative capital. – May 6, 2020.

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Comments

  • But Govt can appeal for a heavier punishment. Is it done yet?

    Posted 6 years ago by Yew Kit Yam · Reply

  • Why isn't the AG appealing?

    Posted 6 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • So Judges have been practicing double standards as well? If so, Should we not get an explanation from the judiciary?

    Posted 6 years ago by Sunita petrus · Reply

  • So the question should be directed to the Chief Justice.

    Posted 6 years ago by KS S · Reply

  • Is that why no journalists why allowed into the hearing?
    What shenanigans took place in secret?
    Why is there absolute and unacceptable silence from the CJ and the AG on this matter?

    Posted 6 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Wrong, not up to anyone, must follow rules & sop #

    Posted 6 years ago by Jey Shan · Reply

  • A kangaroo court judgement. No doubt, the judge will be awarded a datukship very soon for his effort.

    Posted 6 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply