3-day observation for ministers returning from overseas

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 8 Feb 2021 10:35PM · 3 Comments

A federal gazette signed by Health Minister Dr Adham Baba states ministers who return from abroad shall undergo observation for three days until be discharged without danger to the public. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, February 8, 2021.

MINISTERS returning from official duties abroad will from tomorrow be exempted from Section 15 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), a check on the e-Federal Gazette has revealed.

The Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Exemption) Order 2021 will be in effect until August 1, which spans the entire state of emergency.

“The Cabinet of Ministers who returns from any overseas official visit shall undergo observation for three days or undergo surveillance until be discharged without danger to the public,” the exemption read.

Section 15 of Act 342 concerns observation or surveillance of contacts and that an authorised officer may order any contact to undergo observation in such place and for such period as he may think fit, or to undergo surveillance until he may be discharged without danger to the public.

Under existing rules, Malaysians returning from abroad are required to undergo a 10-day quarantine.

The gazette was signed by Health Minister Dr Adham Baba.

Previously, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali came under fire for being out in the public despite returning from Covid-19-hit Turkey.

In August, the Health Ministry slapped a RM1,000 fine on Khairuddin for breaching quarantine rules.

He had also apologised and said he would donate four months’ salary.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was also criticised for not taking action against Khairuddin despite telling Malaysians the government will not practise double standards in punishing those who flout the standard operating procedure and quarantine rules. – February 8, 2021.

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Comments

  • Why the different for them? Are they not human like us who can transmit the virus? Clear cut case of double standard

    Posted 3 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply

  • We are glad to find out that the virus is able to distinguish between Ministers and the hoi polloi.
    This must rank as one of the Health Minister's greatest contributions to medicine, besides that of drinking warm water as a cure.

    Malaysia truly Boleh!

    Posted 3 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

  • Why is it so important and urgent for the ministers to leave the country during MCO? Is there some political negotiations happening outside the country?

    Posted 3 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply