SEVERAL political leaders, including two ministers and a menteri besar, were hauled up recently by police for violating the Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) during the movement-control order (MCO) to curb the spread of infections.

But that was as far as it went in terms of action against them is concerned. Weeks after they were called in, police told The Malaysian Insight that the individual cases against them are still being investigated.

The VIPs had their statements recorded but nothing has come out of it since, leading to allegations that Putrajaya was once again practising double standards when it came to enforcing the law.

The Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel said that as long as there continues to be two sets of rules in meting out enforcement, public trust in the administration will stay at rock-bottom.

“People are already feeling a sense of hopelessness and have lost confidence in how this pandemic is being managed.

“Double standards in enforcement also crushes the notion of equality before the law as enshrined in our constitution and trashes the rule of law in our faces,” Gabriel told The Malaysian Insight.

On the urgency of action against those who violated the SOP, Gabriel said this was not the issue as the authorities have acted swiftly.

“I don’t think that’s the key issue here. They (the authorities) have acted swiftly on several cases involving the breach of SOP by ordinary folks.

“The issue that concerns us is selective prosecution and enforcement of the law. VIPs and celebrities are let off the hook one too many times.”

She said hawkers, restaurant owners and the man-on-the-street were immediately hauled up and slapped with hefty fines when caught flouting the SOP.

“Why is it so difficult to take action against the VIPs then?” Gabriel said.

She said Putrajaya must address this problem quickly to show that the rule of law applies to all.

The Malaysian Insight checked on several recent cases of government officials who were alleged to have violated the SOP. Police said the cases were at various stages of investigation.

Below are some of those cases:

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor

On June 3, a Facebook user alleged that she and her husband saw Sanusi at a car dealership in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, where he had allegedly test-driven a car.

The woman claimed that Sanusi, a PAS politician, had clearly violated the SOP when he was in a car with three passengers. Sanusi, the state assemblyman for Jeneri, was allegedly test-driving a blue Ford Raptor during the full lockdown phase of the MCO.

The woman who was at the scene then questioned the salesman on whether vehicle sales showrooms were allowed to open during the lockdown.

Sanusi’s political secretary, Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, denied the woman’s allegations, adding that Sanusi was on his way to Kuala Lumpur on important matters.

He said the menteri besar stopped to buy food in Juru before leaving as the rest and recreation area was closed.

Coincidentally, he said, the food shop was near a car showroom, which was not open for business. Sanusi only went to see the vehicle out of interest and not to buy it, Afnan said in a statement, adding that Sanusi did not test-drive the car.

Bukit Aman CID director Abd Jalil Hassan told The Malaysian Insight that an investigation paper was opened on the allegation against Sanusi.

“The investigation paper was sent to the deputy public prosecutor’s office who gave us further instructions,” he said.

Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali

Khairuddin was alleged to have violated the SOP when he was stopped at a roadblock in Perasing, Terengganu on May 16.

Terengganu police chief Roslee Chik said an investigation was carried out against the PAS minister, who is also the Kuala Nerus MP.

“He was checked while passing through the roadblock and Bukit Aman has taken over the case,” the Terengganu police chief said.

Jalil said 12 individuals were called to record their statements in relation to this case.

“The minister’s statement was also recorded,” Jalil told The Malaysian Insight.

He said more statements will be recorded before the investigation paper is referred to the deputy public prosecutor’s office for further action.

Khairuddin, meanwhile, denied he was in a relationship with a female celebrity as debated on social media.

He said all the sensational stories, including his detention at the Perasing roadblock, were untrue and had bad intentions to tarnish his reputation, warning that he would take legal action against these false allegations.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed

On June 26, a picture was posted on social media showing Mustapa eating at a cafe in Jeli, Kelantan.

The picture was originally uploaded by the owner of the restaurant on Facebook who expressed his happiness over the Bersatu MP’s visit to his cafe.

The post went viral, with many pointing out that Mustapa had clearly violated the SOP by eating in a shop when it was prohibited to do so during the lockdown.

Mustapa, who is also Jeli MP, apologised and later the Prime Minister’s Department in a statement said Mustapa had cooperated with the police and left it to them to take the appropriate action.

Jeli district police chief Ahmad Arifin said Mustapa and several other individuals were being investigated under the Penal Code and Regulation 17 (1) of the Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control Regulations (Measures in the Area) Local Infection 2021 for an unlawful or negligent act that could spread infection.

“We recorded statements from four individuals, including Mustapa and the owner of the restaurant, for violating the SOP,” Ahmad said.

“The investigation papers have been completed and have been sent to the deputy public prosecutor’s office for further instructions.”

Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon

On July 2, a video of Rashid eating durian in an orchard with the entourage of the Housing and Local Government Minister, Zuraidah Kamaruddin, went viral.

Many were unhappy as the people seen in the clip did not practise physical distancing and some did not wear masks.

Rashid, who is also the Batu Pahat MP, apologised for his visit to the durian orchard in his constituency during the MCO. He said he was visiting durian farmers who were affected by the lockdown.

Batu Pahat district police chief Ismail Dollah said 15 people who were at the “durian party” have been called up.

“All the individuals involved have given statements to assist in the investigation for violating the SOP at the farm.

“Rashid has also given his statement. We will be handing the investigation papers over to the deputy public prosecutor’s office for further instructions,” Ismail told The Malaysian Insight. – July 7, 2021.