PLANTATION Industries and Commodities Minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali should be penalised for flouting the quarantine rule upon his return from Turkey, said Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

The DAP rep said the National Security Council must not practise “double standards” in enforcing the law, but take Khairuddin to court for skipping quarantine.

Khairuddin is reported to have skipped quarantine after testing negative for Covid-19 on his arrival from Turkey on July 7. He attended parliament on July 13.

“Many Malaysians and foreigners entering the country have been put under 14 days of quarantine even after testing negative for Covid-19.

“Why is there special treatment for the minister,” she asked in a statement today.

Kok, who previously held Khairuddin’s portfolio, said the authorities had taken to court those who had flouted the rules, including 72-year-old Nur Emas Mohamad Hashim, who was jailed for a day and fined RM8,000.

Kok said Khairuddin’s aide had told reporters that that Turkey was a green zone, meaning it was coronavirus-free, but statistics showed that was not the case.

According to the worldometers.info website, there were 186,089 active cases in Turkey as of July 6.

The minister returned on July 7.

She said Khairuddin’s presence in parliament and at many meetings and events had exposed many others who had attended these events to the risk of Covid -19 virus.

All travellers are tested on arrival and must undergo isolation for two weeks even if they test negative for the virus. Those who are found to be infected are sent to the hospital for treatment. 

Breaching the order is punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both upon conviction. – August 19, 2020.

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