Explain Sop Breach Or Police Report Will Be Lodged Dap Mp Tells Minister

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A DAP lawmaker has demanded an explanation from Minister of Industry, Plantation and Commodities Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali for not adhering to the Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP)
“We will give the minister until the end of today to explain why we should not lodge a police report against him for violating the required SOP,” Lim Lip Eng told Malaysiakini this afternoon
The minister, according to news reports quoting a source close to him, underwent a special Covid-19 test upon returning home on July 7 following a visit to Turkey
His overseas trip, said the source, was approved by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, and Turkey was categorised as a green zone country at the time
However, during Khairuddin's visit, Turkey had recorded more than 5,600 new Covid-19 cases and 93 deaths
The country had more than 250,000 Covid-19 cases and 6,061 fatalities from the disease in total, calling the green zone claim into question
'Shouldn't the minister be jailed and fined as well?'Though tested negative, Lim said, the minister should have undergone quarantine as the virus can take up to 14 days to manifest
He pointed out that Muhyiddin and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad underwent quarantine after coming into contact with Covid-19 positive individuals
“Why was Khairuddin given extra special treatment?” he added
The Kepong MP also noted how the restaurant operator responsible for the Sivaganga cluster in Kedah had tested negative upon his return but was later found to be positive
The Alor Setar Magistrate's Court subsequently sentenced the restaurant operator to five months’ jail and RM12,000 fine for not observing home quarantine which resulted in the virus spreading
“Should not the minister be also liable for five months jail and RM12,000 fine like the restaurant owner in Kubang Pasu who broke home quarantine rules?” asked Lim, who is a lawyer
Khairuddin's purported failure to observe the SOP was first raised by another DAP lawmaker, Teresa Kok, in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday
“The plantations and commodities minister went to Turkey from July 3 to 7, and on (July) 13 he came to Parliament
"We know that everyone who goes overseas and comes back must be quarantined for 14 days, but now a cabinet minister has not followed this rule," she added. - Mkini

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