PRIME Minister Muhyiddin Yassin must retract the Covid-19 quarantine exemption afforded to ministers to uphold his pledge of no double standard in Covid-19 quarantine standard operating procedure, said Lim Kit Siang.

The DAP stalwart reminded the prime minister of his pledge in a special television address to the nation that there would be no double standards in complying with Covid-19 quarantine orders.

Muhyiddin said he and his ministers are not exempted from adhering to the SOP set by the Health Ministry on this matter.

The Iskandar Puteri MP also said Muhyiddin then promised action against any minister for breaching the rules.

“But is the prime minister’s pledge to count for nothing that the health minister can now gazette double standards for complying with Covid-19 quarantine SOP for ministers?” said Lim in a statement.

He was referring to a new gazette yesterday which allowed ministers returning from official duties abroad to be exempted from Section 15 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

Ministers who return from any overseas official visit will only undergo Covid-19 observation for three days or undergo surveillance until they are discharged without danger to the public.

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

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.

Lim said the quarantine privilege for ministers would undermine public trust, confidence and support in the government’s fight against Covid-19. – February 9, 2021.