SABAH Deputy Chief Minister Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said he was given clearance from undergoing supervision and observation under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 by the Health Ministry.

The Keningau MP said the clearance letter, dated yesterday, was signed by a medical officer from the Lembah Pantai health office.

“Any self-quarantined individuals can request for an earlier release, subject to approval from the Health Ministry and after undergoing all the required health screening.

“Therefore, there is no issue of non-compliance, nor is there an issue of double standards as the early release was not political,” he said in a statement tonight.

Today, several opposition MPs had questioned if Kitingan had undergone the mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arriving from Sabah to attend Parliament. 

The clearance letter stated that Kitingan was ordered to undergo supervision and observation at home starting November 12 to 25, but upon assessment, his health was satisfactory and he was given early clearance, starting yesterday.

Kitingan said the decision was made by the ministry after running multiple swab tests and blood tests on him since his arrival in Kuala Lumpur on November 12.

He said it is untrue he was still in Sabah on November 13 and such allegations could only be described as malicious and slanderous, aimed to damage his reputation and character. – Bernama, November 24, 2020.