KUALA LUMPUR: Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali was fined RM1,000 for failing to adhere to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342), the Health Ministry said.
Khairuddin had been the centre of attention of late, after claims were made that he failed to observe the mandatory 14-day home quarantine after returning from a trip to Turkey on July 7.
In a statement today, the Health Ministry said the compound was issued to Dr Mohd Khairuddin on Aug 7 and that the minister has paid the amount.
"The Health Ministry issued a compound to Khairuddin after he was found to commit an offence under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within the Infected Local Areas) Regulations 2020, the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).
"Khairuddin had returned from Turkey on July 7, in which, his nasopharyngeal swab sample was taken for the first time on the same day and tested negative.
"The second and third Covid-19 screening conducted on him also showed that he is negative of the virus.
"Since Khairuddin had failed to adhere to the regulations under Act 342, the authorised officer has issued a RM1,000 compound against him on Aug 7 and he has settled the compound," the statement read.
Dr Mohd Khairuddin, who is also Kuala Nerus Member of Parliament, was previously alleged to have violated his compulsory isolation period after returning from Turkey, having been present during Dewan Rakyat proceedings in the 14-day period after arriving in Malaysia.
Khairuddin's alleged quarantine violation became a hot topic in Dewan Rakyat and created a social media storm.
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok claimed that the minister had been on an unofficial visit to Turkey from July 3 to 7, but had attended Parliament only a week later.
Malaysians returning from abroad and other nationals permitted to enter the country must undergo a 14-day compulsory quarantine even if their first Covid-19 test upon arrival came up negative.