SARAWAK Deputy Chief Minister Awang Tengah Ali Hassan has admitted to not wearing a face mask while in a public place, and said he will pay the compound.

He confirmed a video of himself without a mask visiting food stalls after a function in the Melanau town of Matu in central Sarawak, which has been shared widely on social media platforms in the last few days.

Awang Tengah said he made a mistake.

“I didn’t realise that I did not have my mask on,” he told staff of the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC) at their special assembly with him this morning.

STIDC is an agency under his Natural Resources Ministry.

“I was invited to visit the stalls. Then I also was already late (in taking off).”

Awang Tengah said since the stalls – which normally operate during weekends – were set up specially for him, he obliged.

He said he took off his mask at the stall where he stopped to buy local titbits, have a drink and some cakes.

It was while he was having the drink that an aide reminded him that he was on a schedule and had to leave and head to the waiting helicopter.

“I forgot to put back my mask,” he said.

As he was walking to the aircraft, he was also seen giving RM50 to every stall operator.

He explained the money was to pay for purchases that his aides would pick up later.

“I gave money to the stall holders to pack items, and my aides will pick them up later.”

The police contacted him yesterday to inform him that had been compounded for flouting a Covid-19 SOP.

“I admit my mistake. I will pay the compound.” – April 8, 2021.