DEWAN Rakyat deputy speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon has apologised for breaching standard operating procedure (SOP) by attending a durian party over the weekend in his constituency Batu Pahat, Johor.

The Batu Pahat MP initially said a video clip showing him eating durian with other people was an old video from before the current movement-control order (MCO), which prohibits social gatherings.

But he apologised today after social media users went all out to analyse the recording to show that it was taken recently during the current lockdown.

“I would like to clarify a recent video involving me at a durian orchard. I apologise for the confusion caused as I did not see the video before commenting on the matter when I was asked by the media.

“I was at the durian orchard to listen to the problems faced by the villagers in my constituency.

“I apologise for the trouble and I will cooperate with the police in this matter,” said Rashid in a statement today.

He said the villagers in the video had started offering him durian to eat and he obliged, adding that he left the gathering quickly after that.

Rashid also explained that, coincidentally, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin had also been present and was given a basket of durians, but she did not stay on to eat with others.

Yesterday, Batu Pahat police chief Ismail Dollah said a report had been lodged and an investigation paper opened.

“We will call up the MP soon. The investigation is being conducted under Regulation 18 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases 2021,” Ismail said in a statement.

The 14-second video clip has been circulated on social media showing Rashid at the durian party said to be in Kg Poh, Batu Pahat.

The nationwide MCO, which began on June 1, has been extended indefinitely.

Rashid is the latest ruling party politician to have incurred public anger over SOP breaches.

Last week, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mustapa Mohamed apologised for violating MCO SOP by eating at a café in his constituency in Jeli, Kelantan.

He said he would let police investigate the matter. – June 30, 2021.