POLICE must answer whether there is a case against Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa for breaching the movement control order (MCO) last month, said opposition MPs of Kuala Lumpur seats.

“They need to inform the public. Make a statement. Tell us what is happening. Is there a case or there is no case at all,” Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng told The Malaysian Insight.

Annuar, who is also Ketereh MP from Umno, has been called up by police for allegedly breaching MCO rules after pictures of him sitting at a table with six other people during an event in Cheras on February 13 were circulated on social media.

Under the MCO rules last month, dine-ins were allowed with only two people to a table in a restaurant. 

On February 17, Kuala Lumpur police chief Saiful Azly Kamaruddin said investigation papers into Annuar’s case has to be referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ first before a summons or compound could be issued to the Perikatan Nasional minister.

PKR’s Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad who urged Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah to issue a statement on the matter.

“There needs to be closure. Is he guilty or not, or will he be taken to court or pay a fine. It is time for the D-G to make a clear statement about the SOP.”

“As it is now, there is a clear double standard. The VVIPs can escape punishment but normal people have been brought to court and made to pay heavy penalties.

“But a VVIP or a minister can escape,” said the PKR lawmaker.

Annuar had also allegedly breach the SOP in another photo which showed him walking with two other people without wearing masks.

At the time, the rules only allowed outdoor exercise together among members of the same household.

The perception of double-standards has been rife throughout the various stages of lockdown through last year.

Last year Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali caused a furore when he did not undergo quarantine after returning to Malaysia from Turkey.

The PAS lawmaker has paid a fine and apologised, but there is still no explanation from the government as to why he was not issued a home surveillance order (Form 14b) under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act (Act 342) upon arrival at the airport. 

Khairuddin’s case has been classified by the police as ‘no further action’ (NFA).

Also last year, deputy health minister Noor Azmi Ghazali and Perak executive council member Razman Zakaria were fined RM1,000 each in default of one month’s jail for sharing a meal with other people without social distancing.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun was pessimistic over the lack of action against Annuar.

“What can we do if the police decide not to take action against a cabinet member. It seems like they can do whatever they want,” Fong said. – March 21, 2021.