DAP, Umno leaders question A-G on Khairuddin case

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 22 Oct 2020 1:40PM · 7 Comments

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali went to Turkey in July and failed to self-quarantine upon return but was only fined RM1,000. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, October 22, 2020.

POLITICIANS from DAP and Umno today questioned the Attorney-General’s Chambers for not prosecuting Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali for allegedly violating a quarantine order in July.

They said that it looks like the government is not firm about acting against those who flout the law, adding that the attorney-general owes the public an explanation on the decision.

DAP central committee member Wong Kah Woh said the plantation industries and commodities minister could not claim that he was not aware of the rules.

“Rules and procedures are required to be strictly adhered to and no one shall be above the law.

“I wish to remind the attorney-general that in such a clear case involving Khairuddin where prima facie evidence is beyond doubt, a charge against Khairuddin is inevitable,” he said in a statement.

Yesterday, Attorney-General Idrus Harun said there was insufficient evidence to prefer any charges against Khairuddin.

The AG’s Chambers found there was no home surveillance or observation order issued to the minister for him to observe the quarantine, as stipulated under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.

Wong said it’s the duty of Khairuddin to prove his innocence in court and he has all the right to challenge the prosecution case.

“It is not the duty of the attorney-general to find ways or excuses for Khairuddin to escape. Sadly, the attorney-general has acted like the defence counsel to Khairuddin in this case.”

He also questioned the police and AGC for taking more than three months for their investigation before arriving at the decision of NFA (no further action) against Khairuddin, compared to the other quick and harsh actions against civilians for the same offence.

Meanwhile, Umno Supreme Council member Mohd Puad Zarkarshi said the people must be disappointed when Khairuddin was not charged with violating the guidelines.

“There are two reasons why this decision (by AGC) is being questioned.

“First, why did it take so long to investigate and decide the outcome? It seems the authorities were delaying the issue to find reasons (to drop charges).

“Second, the government is seen as not firm in this matter.  Health officers who allegedly did not give the form 14b to Khairuddin were made scapegoats.”

Puad said even ordinary folk who returned from Sabah before September 27 took their own initiative to quarantine at home for 14 days.

“Some spend their own money to do swab tests.  Not only that, some people did it twice.

“So morally, Khairuddin should be more responsible and self-quarantine himself. I’m sure even he could have thought about that himself.”

He added that now the government is accused of double standards, which adds to the public’s anger. – October 22, 2020.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • Isn't the HSO in the My Sejahtera app upon checking in on arrival?

    Posted 3 years ago by Bao Re · Reply

  • And the DG MOH continues to evade why the Minister was fined RM1000 in the first place.

    Posted 3 years ago by Andrew Amaladoss · Reply

  • I think the AG doesnt want to set a precedent cause it will open the floodgate having to deal with such similar cases, so a NFA is the easy way out and to keep the masters at bay. Thus, no harm at all to have two sets of Law as the people walking on the corridors of power doesnt transmit the Covid19 virus to him.

    Posted 3 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • Adik = abang = abah = corruption

    Posted 3 years ago by YUSHRI ZAINUDIN · Reply

  • The current AG is beginning to sound like Apandi. How can a learned Judge like him acted in such a lowly and unwise manner?

    Posted 3 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • These two jokers must have been paid hundreds of millions to bootlick the PM.

    Posted 3 years ago by Alphonz Jayaratnam · Reply

  • Sacking the minister is the right thing to do. But the insecure government cannot afford to lose a supporter when they already lost the majority?

    Posted 3 years ago by Loyal Malaysian · Reply