INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said Bukit Aman is investigating Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali for breaking his quarantine after returning from Turkey on July 7.

“Police have opened an investigation paper on this case,” he told Bernama in a text message today.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department deputy director (Investigation/Legal) Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said police have received 27 reports on the issue.

“Police are investigating Khairuddin in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342),” he said.

The Health Ministry, in a statement yesterday, said that it had issued a compound of RM1,000 to Khairuddin on August 7 for breaching the regulations. 

Khairuddin has settled the compound.

Khairuddin returned from Turkey on July 7, and the first nasopharyngeal swab sample taken that day was negative for Covid-19. 

The second and third Covid-19 screening tests were also negative.

Recently, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok asid the minister did not undergo the 14 days quarantine after returning from Turkey.

As a result, Khairuddin, who is also a PAS central committee member, was heavily criticised by many parties for defying the quarantine order for Malaysians returning from abroad.

The RM1,000 compound issued against Khairuddin has sparked anger among on social media sites.

In a separate statement yesterday, Khairuddin said he will return his salary as minister from May to August and contribute the amount to the Covid-19 Fund under the Health Ministry. – Bernama, August 23, 2020.