Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

ALAS, after months of extended police investigation, the public’s thirst for the outcome of the probe into Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali’s home quarantine puzzle has finally been quenched.

It turned out that the authorities had slipped their collective mind to issue to the plantation industries and commodities minister Form 14b to fill in before the mandatory home quarantine could be fully and effectively enforced.

Hence, he duly deserves the “no further action” directive issued by the Attorney-General’s Chambers.

Against this latest revelation, it appears that baying for Khairuddin’s blood is a tad unreasonable, as loudly exhibited by some impatient members of the public all this while. The takeaway here is that patience is a virtue.

After all, it’s the dereliction of duty on the part of the enforcement officers concerned that should have been the object of the public’s anger. If anything, the Kuala Nerus MP is the helpless victim of such administrative incompetence.

Given this grievous error, it’s only fair that the RM1,000 fine paid by the compliant minister should be speedily refunded to him. Any delay to this effect would surely be an injustice.

Additionally, the authorities may want to consider giving the minister some financial compensation for the hurt, ridicule and last but not least, shame he patiently endured during his months of tribulation.

Khairuddin’s pledge to return four months of his considerable salary as a contribution to the National Disaster Relief Fund should be retracted, considering that the predicament he faced was disastrous enough for him to bear.

It must also have been a nightmarish experience for him, especially when only a few of his cabinet colleagues publicly stood by him. May the Almighty protect him.

Even a few of his political allies in Perikatan Nasional went after him, unfairly accusing him of breaking the law. We can only hope that these individuals and others who are drenched in conspiracy theories would seek atonement and his forgiveness.

It is most unfortunate that those who were home-quarantined before the hapless minister did not make it known publicly that they, too, had to fill in the Form 14b. At the very least, it would have alerted Khairuddin to this essential requirement and averted undue embarrassment.

His victimhood also clearly shows that no double standards are being practised by his own government as far as enforcing the Covid-19 SOP goes. It is hoped that this myth is duly debunked by this unfortunate case.

Surely, “Abah” would have conscientiously used the proverbial cane had Khairuddin clearly crossed the line beyond any reasonable doubt.

Now that the dust has settled, it’s only fair to give Khairuddin his well-deserved space to perform his ministerial duties, particularly in boosting palm oil trade between our country and Turkey.

This clinched deal, by the way, is an achievement that should be aptly recognised by Malaysians who demand top performance among the current crop of ministers.

Although this may be beyond his official portfolio, Khairuddin’s recent plan to mount a clampdown on alcohol consumption in the country deserves public support because only he is well equipped to know what intoxication can do, especially to men of power. – October 23, 2020.

* Editors’ note: This is a satire… don’t rage!