MOHD Khairuddin Aman Razali sees no reason to resign as plantation industries and commodities minister, saying his breach of Covid-19 quarantine upon his return from Turkey is not a job-related failure.

“I did not do anything wrong with regard to my job. It was an error to do with the standard operating procedure.

“I have my own views on the matter, but I am letting police investigate. The Health Ministry has also issued a statement. For me, the issue is resolved, but I have my own views,” he told reporters in Slim River after campaigning for Barisan Nasional’s Slim by-election candidate Mohd Zaidi Aziz today.

Khairuddin was yesterday grilled for three hours by police. Also questioned were three of his family members who accompanied him on the Turkey trip.

The Kuala Nerus MP said the trip was semi-official, adding that it was not just to drum up business for Malaysia’s palm oil industry, but also a project involving the Terengganu government.

“One (purpose of the trip) was project negotiations involving Terengganu that were yet to be resolved when I took over as minister. The rest of the time, it was regarding palm oil.”

Khairuddin’s breach of quarantine – compulsory for all those entering the country – has led to claims of Putrajaya practising double standards when it comes to punishing those who flout SOPs against the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has issued a statement, saying he will leave it to the authorities to investigate the minister and take action.

“The Perikatan Nasional government’s stand is that all Malaysians are bound by the law. No one is exempt.”

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department deputy director (investigation/legal) Mior Faridalath Wahid said the force is investigating Khairuddin under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

The Health Ministry on August 7 issued him with a RM1,000 compound, which he has settled.

Khairuddin returned from Turkey on July 7, and the first nasopharyngeal swab sample taken from him that day came back negative for Covid-19. The second and third screenings also returned negative results. – August 28, 2020.